Copies of letters dispatched by Robert Saunders, during his time as the District Leader of the Dorset West District of the British Union (BU).

Including copies of letters sent to:

Miss Elizabeth Joan Griffin, Woman District Leader, Bournemouth, BU (A8/61-63). Includes references to “Peace With Honour” publication (January 1940) (61); contribution to Miss Ryder’s fine and police warning over distribution of “Stop The War Now” leaflets (October 1939) (62) and BU Peace campaign (October 1939) (63)

P. Halls (A8/64), concerning membership (August 1939)

D. G. Hamlin (A8/65), regarding a letter from member who is a serving soldier (December 1939)

Miss Florence E. Hayes, Woman Commanding Officer, Wessex / Woman District Leader, West Hants, BU (A8/66-75). Includes references to Mosley meeting at Bournemouth on 26 May 1940 and thoughts on meetings and membership of Local Defence Force (66); trouble from soldiers at Tolpuddle meeting (April 1940) (70); H. Ross Williamson and Miss Hayes meeting at Poole on 11 February 1940 (73) and thoughts on the opportunities for BU in the outbreak of the Second World War (October 1939) (74)

J. P. Holman (A8/76-77). Including arrangements for attending proposed Mosley meeting in London on 5 May 1940 (77)

R. Hunt (A8/78), concerning membership (August 1939)

C. D. Irwin (A8/79)

R. Janaway (A8/80), concerning membership (August 1939)

Ralph Gladwyn Jebb, Regional Inspector, Wessex / Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for West Dorset, BU) (A8/81-105). Includes references to problems of carrying on usual BU activities in wartime (May 1940) (81); report on Cotton meeting at Dorchester on 14 April 1940 (82); suggested summer programme for 1940 (March 1940) (83); Saunders having to give evidence to an Enemy Alien Tribunal, and account of questions over pools firm advertising in “Action” (December 1939) (84); account of attendance at outdoor meeting at Dorchester on 5 November 1939, and local hostility to the Stephensons (88); warning by police regarding “Stop This War Now” handbills (October 1939) (91); Saunders’ reaction to outbreak of the Second World War (September 1939) (94); preparations for Earls Court meeting on 16 July 1939 (97-101); opposition at Exeter meeting on 3 June 1939 and police response (102) and a report of hostility at Charmouth meeting on 20 May 1939 (104)

B. G. Jeffries (A8/106), concerning membership (August 1939)

Jesty Billposting Co. Ltd (A8/107-109)

Alan S. Johnson (A8/110-112), concerning resignation (October 1939) (110) and arrangements for Earls Court meeting on 16 July 1939 (111-112)

Joop (van Lissa) (A8/112A-C), regarding local meetings of BU, further comments on the problems of mixed nations, problems of BU access to meeting halls (April 1939) (112A); IRA campaign, and response to JvL’s ideas on countries of mixed nationalities (Jan 1939) (112B) and the Jews, South Africa and the political situation (January 1939) (112C)

George T. Knowles (A8/113-115), concerning membership (June 1939)

G. Lambert (A8/116), concerning a member serving with armed forces (April 1940)

Mrs Lambert (A8/117), relating to the Peace Campaign, and police action on distribution of handbills (October 1939)

W. Lane (A8/118)

Miss Vivien Leather (A8/119), concerning Election Agent’s correspondence course (May 1939)

Liberal Hall, Dorchester (A8/120)

Henry Ling Ltd, Dorchester (A8/121-122)

Mrs Major (A8/123-124)

H. W. Manning (A8/125), concerning membership (August 1939)

Miss Kathleen [Marston], Secretary to H. G. McKechnie, National Meetings Organiser, BU (A8/126), regarding proposed visit to Dorset West camp (July 1939)

J. Mickell (A8/127), concerning membership (August 1939)

[Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley, Leader, BU] (A8/128-131). “The Leadership of the Streets” circular to All Formations on 1 April 1940, under the name of B. D. E. Donovan, Assistant Director-General (A) (128); “Mosley’s Message to All British Union Members” on 1 Sep 1939, with statement of support by Neil Francis-Hawkins, Director-General, B. D. E. Donovan A.D.G. (A), A. Raven Thomson, Director of Policy, H. G. McKechnie, S. A. London, Ernest C. Clarke, Propaganda Administrator, and concluding with an appeal to Dorset West District members by Robert Saunders (129); “Peace Campaign” notice to members regarding Jebb speech in Dorchester on 26 August 1939 by Robert Saunders (130) and circular on Policy Class and Conference in Dorchester and plans to fight the Dorset Constituency on 8 April 1939 by Robert Saunders (131)

John S. Murray (A8/132), concerning situation in Yeovil and in West Dorset (January 1940)