| Description | 1. Blue armband with 2 embroidered badges with the emblem of Mobile VAD inscribed. On reverse of one is "SALOP 28 41 BRCS".
2. Large rolled photograph of women in uniform with Matilda Talbot in the centre.
3. 12 Nov 1950 addressed torn envelope from Who's Who to Matilda Talbot with the proof listed on the reverse of the entry describing Matilda Talbot's life and achievements, and where she served in World War One.
4. Passport for Matilda Talbot with visas for the embarkations to and from France during WW1, photo of Matilda dated 1916 when she was 44 years old with full description. Signature Matilda Gilchrist-Clarke. Renewed in 1922.
5. Undated photo of Matilda Talbot in WRENS uniform outside Lacock Abbey in front of the South Terrace.
6. 8 Jun 1948 Certificate of membership to Matilda Talbot from Secretary of National Society of the Barons of Runnemede.
7. Photographs:
a. Photo of nurses marching.
b. Photo of Matilda Talbot in uniform in the rear of a truck with an Army officer.
c. 11 May 1919 Photo of 4 people in uniform, 3 sat on a bench and 1 on the grass. Named as Lisle O'Sullivan, Captain Cotteryl, Liz Hellaly and Norah Frank at Cranwell.
d. Photos of 15 people in uniform, 14 stood and 2 sitting. Matilda Talbot is 3 from right by the lamppost. On reverse is written in pencil Crystal Palace (2).
e. Photo of 20 women in uniform in front of a building, 10 standing, 10 sitting. Matilda Talbot is sat in centre on a chair (3).
f. Photo of 11 women in uniform in front of a building, 4 standing and 7 sitting. Matilda Talbot is sat in the centre on a chair (2).
g. Photo of 31 women in uniform in front of a building, 17 standing and 14 sitting. Matilda Talbot is in the centre sat in a chair.
h. Photo of a young woman in uniform in posed setting with tree as backdrop.
8. 18 Mar 1918 Letter from Katherine Furse, Director of WRNS, informing Matilda Talbot of her appointment as Quarters Supervisor at Cranwell.
9. 2 train tickets printed Cranwell Railway stamped R N Officers.
10. 5 Apr 1917 Printed orders in French to Matilda Gilchrist-Clark from the secretary of Military Service signed by Paul Wenz
Informing her to go directly to Bussang to the Depot of Cripples as an assistant.
11. 25 Nov 1918 Typed minutes of a conference held at Great Stanhope Street regarding the demobilisation of the WRNS, setting up a permanent service, transfer of WRNS to WRAFS. Matilda Talbot is mentioned as having asked about transfers and the establishment of the WRNS Reserves.
12. Undated note from R T regarding transferring to West Camp as the orders of 27 Jul and being a separate unit.
13. 14 Sep 1917 Letter in French addressed to Madame Clark at Bussang then redirected to Lacock Abbey from A Cambiaghi saying when he next gets leave he will visit probably in October. If she is not there he hopes the letter will find her.
14. 20 Sep 1918 Memorandum from Winifred Dakyns to the principal at WRNS training establishment at Sleaford, Lincolnshire, regarding the interest in her report from her tour of France in August.
15. 17 Sep 1918 Report about impressions of Queen Mary's Army Auxilary Corp (QMAAC) in France. Describes conditions in various places in France, Dieppe, Mesnival, Calais, Hardelot, Etaples, St Valery sur Somme and Abbeville. Reports conditions and state of the accommodation, concerns about "silly" girls and the way to stop them, about entertainment and exercise.
16. 18 Sep 1919 Copy letter to the Director of WRNS to Matilda Talbot from V W Baddeley of behalf of the Admiralty thanking everyone for their service during the war and outlining the unprecedented opportunity that women had been afforded during this time in undertaking tasks liberating men for active service (2).
17. Luggage label for Royal Navy Depot: Miss Talbot, WRNS destination Lacock Abbey, Chippenham, Passenger Train.
18. 4 Sep 1917 Official order of transport in French from Bussang to Paris East via Nancy for 2 ladies and 4 bags signed by Matilda Gilchrist-Clark.
19. 16 Apr 1917 Official order of transport in French from Paris to Le Harve signed by Matilda Gilchrist-Clark.
20. Map showing the World War One front lines in Alsace around Bussang from Aug 1914 - Feb 1917.
21. 26 Feb 1920 Telegram to Matilda Talbot at Speddoch from Buckingham Palace requesting her to attend on Wednesday 3 Mar 1920 at 10.15 in service dress.
22. Undated, unnamed memorandum regarding WRAFs and Category B's.
23. 1918 Unused ration books for Miss Talbot (3).
24. Royal Naval Depot luggage label: blank with pencil writing on reverse Miss Talbot WRNS.
25. Christmas 1918 greetings from Katherine Furze with the WRNS emblem on the front cover with a quote, a poem and a sermon from St Francis of Assisi.
26. 25 Mar 1918 Letter from Katherine Furze to Matilda Talbot, Quarters Supervisor, Immingham, enclosing a copy of "The Beloved Captain" and encouraging her in her duties as an Officer in WRNS.
27. Envelope from William R Rose, Chester, photographer containing 2 negatives: a young girl in uniform and 7 people in uniform; 3 men standing and 4 women sitting. Matilda Talbot is sitting in the middle.
28. Envelope from William R Rose containing 4 negatives: 4 people and a dog; a man dressed in uniform with a cane; a man in uniform and Matilda Talbot in the rear of a truck; a young man in uniform.
29. Undated memorandum from Reginald Talbot, Commanding Officer to OC WRNS regarding, chairs, money, telephone and rats.
30. 24 Apr 1918 Memorandum from Reginald Talbot to OC WRNS saying any grievances should be settled without resorting to the CO.
31. 12 Aug 1918 Memorandum from Reginald Talbot to OC WRNS regarding paying their own detachment.
32. 19 Aug 1918 Memorandum from Reginald Talbot to OC WRNS regarding Robinson being returned to transport, having a piano in the recreation room and allowing the men into the WRNS recreation room.
33. Undated letter to Miss Gordon regarding WRNS being allowed to stay out until 9.30pm but must be in their dormitories by 10pm.
34. Undated letter from Matilda Talbot to Reginald Talbot regarding permitting the WRNS to be in the recreation room or outside their dormitories by 10pm.
35. 5 Apr 1918 Letter from Matilda Talbot to Reginald Talbot regarding the censorship of the WRNS letters with a reply at the bottom saying they are not to be censored. Also 7 Apr 1918 memorandum from Reginald Talbot saying that the letters may contain no information regarding men or machines. Further memorandum 13 Apr 1918 confirming WRNS letters are to be censored
36. Undated memorandum from Reginald Talbot saying that the late passes granted to WRNS are excellent. Also that he has reserved 2 first class tickets for Matilda's people on the 9.30pm train.
37. 29 Jun 1918 Letter to Miss Gordon saying that the author has given the contingency allowance and that Miss Talbot is to keep the accounts and use it to buy cleaning material for the men's living quarters.
38. Undated note from Reginald Talbot to Miss Gordon regarding paying her the WRNS pay.
39. 8 Jun 1918 Letter from Matilda Talbot to Reginald Talbot requesting his permission to allow the WRNS to walk to the woods with the men. With a reply from saying that in his opinion not to allow them to walk off the road and not to talk to the men in working hours up to 9pm. An attached hand written notice saying that WRNS and WRAF may walk with friends on the main road between Cranwell Station and West Guard House out of working hours until 9pm.
40. 13 Apr 1918 Memorandum from Matilda Talbot to Reginald Talbot regarding the purchase of stationary and toiletries to be purchased from the canteen manager and sold to the women in the evening at recreation time. Reply saying that is allowed.
41. 10 Sep 1918 Memorandum from Matilda Talbot to Reginald Talbot regarding her requesting a Senior VAD to be sent if he agrees and that if she arrives she should be an officer and accommodated thus.
42. 22 Aug 1917 Letter to Matilda Gilchrist-Clark from A Cambiaghi in French of gratefulness and gratitude for her kindness and asks for her address in England.
43. 12 Aug 1919 Letter from S L Skinn, RAF training establishment, Cranwell to Miss Talbot enclosing a photo (not there) remembering the good times they all had together and for her kindness.
44. Envelope addressed to Miss Talbot with printed medical Certificate of Demobilisation and Certificate of Discharge dated 28 Apr 1919.
45. Royal Naval Depot luggage label stamped 1918 addressed Miss Talbot.
46. 20 Dec 1919 Letter from Lilian Stacey to Matilda Talbot remembering the times they had together and the kindness showed by her as their commanding officer. Describing her job at the Hoover Suction Sweeper Co as a saleswoman for this new sweeper.
47. Receipted bills from the Officers' Mess at Cranwell (4).
48. Certificate presented to Matilda Talbot from the Red Cross.
49. Poem "Women and the home front".
50. Manifesto of "Women and Home Front".
51. 16 Dec 1918 Blue Navy travel warrant for Matilda Talbot from Dumfries to Sleaford by first class for Christmas leave.
52. Photograph album:
a. Snapshot of woman in uniform (loose).
b. Gentleman in full dress uniform.
c. Woman in uniform.
d. Group of men and women in uniform: Matilda Talbot 3 from right by lamppost.
e. Postcard of Cranwell.
f. Postcard of West Camp at Cranwell.
g. Postcard of gymnasium at Cranwell.
h. Postcard of repair workshop at Cranwell.
i. Postcard of transport section at Cranwell.
j. Postcard of soldiers in uniform on the march at Cranwell.
k. Postcard of avenue at Cranwell with men and women in uniform.
l. Man in officers' uniform with cane.
m Family photo: man in uniform, woman, 3 boys and a dog.
n. Family photo: man in uniform, woman, boy and girls and a dog.
o. Man in uniform signed J Humood Cuttoryl.
p. 7 people in uniform; Matilda Talbot centre of 2nd row.
q. Women in uniform; Matilda Talbot sat on chair in centre.
r. Women in uniform; Matilda Talbot sat on chair in centre (and a cat).
s. Women in uniform; Matilda Talbot sat on chair in centre.
t. Women in uniform; Matilda Talbot sat on chair in centre.
u. Women and 1 man in uniform; Matilda Talbot sat in centre row 4 from right.
v. Women in uniform.
w. Women in uniform sat in car; Matilda Talbot sat next to the driver.
x. Man on a motorbike and 7 women in car in uniform; Matilda Talbot sat in rear of car in dark uniform.
y. Women in uniform in a car (G-No 2).
z. Women in uniform in a car (No 5).
aa Woman in uniform on the telephone, possibly Matilda Talbot.
bb. Woman in uniform sat at a desk with pen.
cc. 2 women in uniform on road.
dd. Woman in uniform with gloves on road with building in background.
ee. Rose garden with building in background.
ff. Woman in uniform standing to the side of an obelisk.
gg. Black cat with building in background.
hh. Man in uniform.
ii. Woman in uniform.
jj. Family with man in uniform, 3 children, woman in hat and Matilda Talbot sat in a wheel chair with black dog.
kk. Man in uniform sat in chair with a stick.
ll. Women in uniform.
mm. Women in uniform.
nn. Women in uniform.
oo. Woman in uniform.
pp. Woman in uniform standing in front of chair.
qq. Woman in uniform with bicycle.
rr. Woman in uniform standing by a gate.
ss. Women in nurse uniform.
tt. Woman in uniform.
uu. Zeppelin in workshop.
vv. Zeppelin N.S.11 slightly off the ground.
ww. Man in uniform with woman in civilian dress and child.
xx. Woman in uniform with child and woman in civilian dress with back towards camera looking into a truck.
yy. Matilda Talbot in uniform in a wheel chair.
zz. Matilda Talbot in uniform in back of truck with man in uniform standing.
aaa. Parade of women in uniform with officer inspecting: on reverse says Kittle.
bbb. Barracks in background with group of people in uniform standing by a car: on reverse says Kittle.
ccc. Postcard of Entrance to WRAF Quarters Cranwell blocks 2C and 2D.
ddd. Postcard of Women in uniform in WRAF recreation room at Cranwell.
eee. Postcard of Women in uniform in WRAF mess at Cranwell.
fff. Postcard of group of people in uniform outside NCO's Quarters, Cranwell.
ggg. Postcard of twin engine biplane Handley-Page, Cranwell with person standing at the sides.
hhh. Postcard of single engine biplane with pilot and 2 persons standing at front with the words "off for a flip", Cranwell.
iii. Postcard of fitter's shop, Cranwell, with men in uniform.
jjj. Postcard of men in uniform outside barracks, main entrance, East Camp, Cranwell.
kkk. Group of men in uniform with 2 women in uniform on outside edges in front of barracks.
lll. Man in uniform holding a coat.
mmm. Twin engine biplane with group of people in uniform.
nnn. Twin engine biplane with group of people under wings.
ooo. Man in uniform with motorbike.
ppp. Woman in uniform sat on a bench. |