The papers in this collection were brought together as a result of the work of the Oxford Development Records Project (ODRP), which, along with other similar undertakings, set out to preserve the memories and experiences of people who had been involved with the training of local civil servants to take over from the retiring expatriate public service staff on the independence of former British colonial territories. These included both men who had served overseas in the countries concerned, and some who were working in England, in the Ministry of Overseas Development, later the Overseas Development Agency, in the field of training and public administration. Of those who served overseas, most contributors were posted in the various African territories, though some also served in other Colonies, such as Malaya (Malaysia), the Solomon Islands, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (Tuvalu and Kiribati), St. Helena, and British Honduras (Belize). Potential contributors were sent an aide-mémoire (see introductory file, MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 478/I, folder i), which they were invited to answer in the form of a memorandum, adding any original papers they were willing to donate.