JH/WAR/2/3 - Correspondence with Patrick Talbot-Smith

JH/WAR/2/3

Sub file

Correspondence with Patrick Talbot-Smith

1939-1943

31 items Letters (typescript and MS)

Talbot-Smith, Patrick

Consists chiefly of letters from Major Patrick Talbot-Smith, Royal Artillery, and includes one letter written by Talbot-Smith on the verso of JH's mess bill for 31/12/39. The correspondence is chiefly concerned with military life and activities and opens on 4/11/39 with Major Talbot-Smith in the 64th (7th London) Regiment based at Mystole, Chartham, Kent, to where he had been posted from Golders Green [where he first met JH?]. JH was at this time attending a course at the School of Artillery, Larkhill. By 12/41 Talbot-Smith had moved to GHQ Home Forces, where he was a staff officer but returned to the 64th by the following year. On 4/3/43 he writes from HQ RA 15th (Scottish) Division Home Forces, saying that "the Div. is going shortly to be very good involved" and reports that "the G.O.C. is Monty's protegee". By 22/6/43 he is commanding 495 Field Battery, Alnwick and has learned that JH has been injured and returned to England. Writing to JH at the Military Hospital (Head Injuries) at St Hugh's College, Oxford, Talbot-Smith reports that he is on the staff of the RA Branch, 21 Army Group HQ, and appears not to be very happy about it. By 28/9/43 he is more cheerful, being connected with "urgent affairs of strategy (on practically a Prime Ministerial level". The last letter is dated 4/10/43. Talbot-Smith is still with 21 Army Group, now based at Wentworth Country Club and writes to JH at High Barn, Esher, referring to working at the level of the Prime Minister and Chief of the Imperial General Staff.