Archive of Sir Harry Fagg Batterbee

Collection

How to
request

Papers and transcripts of speeches relating to Batterbee's service as High Commissioner in New Zealand.

Part I (MSS. N.Z. s 10): The papers in this collection comprise notes and transcripts of speeches that Batterbee made during his term of office as British High Commissioner in New Zealand. The papers are arranged chronologically in two boxes
Part II (MSS. N.Z. s. 13): The papers in this collection consist of correspondence, press cuttings, texts of speeches, and official diaries of foreign tours.

Dates

Creation: 1939-1945

Extent

1.8 linear metres (25 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. N.Z. s. 10/1, folder 1, fols. 1-2].

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Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. N.Z. s 10/1-2; MSS. N.Z. s. 13/1-23

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 652, 653

Additional Description

Abstract

Archive of Sir Harry Fagg Batterbee as British High Commissioner to New Zealand.

Biographical / Historical

Sir Harry Fagg Batterbee, KCVO (Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) (1927) GCMG (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George) (1946), was born on 1 Jan 1880 and educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham, and Hertford College, Oxford (he received an Honorary Fellowship from the College in 1956). Batterbee entered the Colonial Office in 1905 and served as Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1916-1919), and as Political Secretary to the Vice Admiral commanding the Special Service Squadron, Empire Cruise (1923-1924). Between 1925 and 1938, Batterbee worked in the Dominions Office as Assistant Secretary (1925-1930) and Assistant Under Secretary of State (1930-1938). During this time, he also served as Political Secretary to the Duke of York during his tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1927, and was Deputy Secretary to the Imperial Conferences in 1930 and 1937. In 1939, Batterbee was appointed as the first British High Commissioner to New Zealand (1939-1945). He was a Governor of the London House Trust, and of Queen Elizabeth's School in Faversham, and was Vice President of the Royal Commonwealth Society. He was also Registrar of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (1930-1938). Sir Batterbee died on 25 Aug 1976.