In the early years of the Company's existence, research was undertaken under the direct charge of Marconi himself, reflecting its central role in the company at that time. In 1912 a Research Department was formed under C.S. Franklin. This was taken over by the Admiralty for the duration of World War 1. In 1921 research was reorganised into a Research Department under H.J. Round and an Independent Research Department under Franklin, both reporting to the Chief Engineer, Andrew Gray. Upon Gray's retirement in 1931 he was replaced by H.M. Dowsett as Research Manager with responsibility for a Research Department under his direct control, and a Development Department under C.E. Rickard. Franklin's Independent Research department continued in existence within the Development Department. In 1935 J.G. Robb replaced Dowsett as Research and Development Manager. Between 1937 and 1939 the Research Laboratories at Great Baddow were built; in 1940-1 they were taken over by the Air Ministry and Admiralty for the duration of World War 2. In 1948 R.J. Kemp was appointed Chief of Research with Eric Eastwood as his deputy; Eastwood was eventually to take over from Kemp. The post-war Directorate of Engineering and Research was split into separate Directorates of Engineering and Research in 1965. After the merger with the General Electric Company, research work was co-ordinated with other GEC research centres, and some papers covering all research centres are to be found in the GEC Archives.