Military and naval papers, 1914-1919

Component identifier:

Series 18

Content Summary:

Latham enlisted for home service in the 53rd (Glenferrie) Regiment and in August 1915 he was appointed a lieutenant. In May 1917 he transferred to the Royal Australian Naval Brigade on a full-time basis. He was made an honorary lieutenant commander and was engaged in intelligence work. He was based at the Navy Office in Melbourne.

Items 1-62 relate to Latham's military service and comprise copies of the Commonwealth Gazette, newscuttings, a few letters, district orders, tactical exercises, reports, military handbooks and training manuals, and a small number of photographs. Items 63-121 relate to the Navy Office. There is correspondence concerning Latham's appointment and service (April 1917-September 1919), including a letter from Sir William Creswell, a diary kept by Latham in July 1917 and notes on intelligence work in October 1917, a few memoranda, and papers on the AIF Education Service (1918).

Comprises Files 1-8 (Items 1-121).

Immediate source of acquisition:

The bulk of the collection was presented to the National Library by Sir John Latham in December 1963, a few months before his death. In November 1974 the Library purchased some further papers from a secondhand book dealer. They comprised family letters and photographs, some diaries and papers relating to the High Court. These papers have been amalgamated into the original collection.

Access and use