Directorate of Public Relations

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties/Notes
Joint responsibility to CAS and PUS for interpretation of Air Council policy to the public and of public opinion to the Air Council Issue of Air Ministry and RAF communiqués and news through all usual agencies. Co-ordination and provision of all forms of publication : - films broadcasts pamphlets articles paid advertising exhibitions Security of service and general suitability of all matter issued from or passed by the Directorate. Co-ordination of war artists' work.
H A Jones		Director (DPR) Killed in a flying accident on 27 Mar 1945
Lord Willoughby de Broke	Gp Capt	Deputy Director (General) (DDPR (G)) Administration of PR 1, PR 3 and PR 4, PR and AI 5 and PR and AI 6. Organisation of Public Relations Units at Commands and administration of their personnel. Consideration of Public Relations organisation for future operations in consultation with DDPR (P). Air Ministry representative on Artists' Advisory Committee (M of I).
C P Robertson		Deputy Director (Press) (DDPR (P)) Direction of CNE, PR 2, PR 8 and PR 9. Supervision of all news, feature and photographic material issued to the Press. Co-ordination of news and publicity policy with M of I and other Government Departments and general organisation of news service with the Commands Liaison with DG of M regarding recruiting publicity. Contact with newspaper proprietors' organisations and kindred bodies.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties/Notes
Joint responsibility to CAS and PUS for interpretation of Air Council policy to the public and of public opinion to the Air Council Issue of Air Ministry and RAF communiqués and news through all usual agencies. Co-ordination and provision of all forms of publication : - films broadcasts pamphlets articles paid advertising exhibitions Security of service and general suitability of all matter issued from or passed by the Directorate. Co-ordination of war artists' work.
Lord Willoughby de Broke		Director (DPR) Took over as Director on death of Mr H A Jones
J G Ogilvie	Wg Cdr	Deputy Director (General) (DDPR (G)) Administration of PR 1, PR 3 and PR 4 and PR and AI 5. Organisation of Public Relations Units at Commands and administration of their personnel. Consideration of Public Relations organisation for future operations in consultation with DDPR (P). Air Ministry representative on Artists' Advisory Committee (M of I).
C P Robertson		Deputy Director (Press) (DDPR (P)) Direction of CNE, PR 2, PR 8 and PR 9. Supervision of all news, feature and photographic material issued to the Press. Co-ordination of news and publicity policy with M of I and other Government Departments and general organisation of news service with the Commands Liaison with DG of M regarding recruiting publicity. Contact with newspaper proprietors' organisations and kindred bodies.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)

Name

Status/Rank

Role/Duties

Sir Walter Nicholson

A Blackborow

J Franks

C P Feest (not AL45)

Special Appointment - Head of Branch

Staff Officer

Higher Clerical Officer

General secretarial duties for the Directorate.

All questions affecting war artists and the clerical staff of the Directorate.

Administrative questions affecting DPR Service personnel, Public Relations Officers and official photographers at home and abroad.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Name

Status/Rank

Role/Duties

Vacant

N W Barrymaine

J G Ogilvie

R W Mound

Wg Cdr

Sqn Ldr

Flt Lt

Planning and co-ordination of issue of news material, articles, photographs, news reels and broadcasts.

General liaison with Public Relation branches of other Services for co-ordination purposes.

Editing of news stories and articles with particular regard to Air Ministry policy.

Liaison with Command Public Relations Officers.

A J Henderson

Sqn Off

Co-ordination and planning of WAAF publicity, liaison with DWAAF and Public Relations branches of Women's Services.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, 1944 - AIR 20/7517 (AL22 - Jan 1944)

Name

Status

Role/Duties

D N Twist

Wg Cdr

Head of Branch

Air Ministry representative on War Films and News Reel Committee (M of I).

N Lloyd

J E Ricketts)

J Frost

Sqn Ldr

Flt Lt

Flt Off

Film questions, other than training, recreational or welfare films (see T Films and DD Films respectively)

Administration and direction of RAF Film Production Unit.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties
T Cochrane	Senior Press Officer	Head of Branch New and Press matters
PR 2 (a)
H P Haddow R J Dingle G M Thomas G R Williams L W Cowland R F Tiltman Miss K Martin	Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Temporary Assistant	Channel for communication with the Press. Press enquiries and guidance. Arrangement of Press interviews and background talks with officers at the Air Ministry. Liaison with News Division, M of I and with Press Officers of other Government Departments. Sub-editing of news stories. Preparation of daily News Analysis and Monthly Analysis of Reviews. Circulation of 'tape' news and BBC monitoring report.
PR 2 (b)
A S Allberry (AL34) G Thomas (AL45) E N Parker E R A Wilson	Press Officer Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Assistant Press Officer	Preparation of casualty, awards and other non-operational communiqués and bulletins (including notes of careers), monthly Statistical Review of Operations, news articles and briefs. Digest of public opinion of RAF for the Air Staff. Review of operations for RAF News and other Service journals.
PR 2 (c)
Miss M I Lee C A Stock	Temporary Assistant Temporary Assistant	Records and statistics of RAF operations, aircraft, air losses, etc for Press references and public use. Press cuttings
R Yeats	Press Officer (Edinburgh)	Liaison with Scottish Press, broadcasting , news reels, etc representatives. Local press enquiries and guidance. Arrangements for press visits, etc in Scotland

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties
T Cochrane	Senior Press Officer	Head of Branch New and Press matters
PR 2 (a)
H P Haddow Vacant M S Gunnill B P Bishop R F Tiltman Miss K Martin	Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Higher Clerical Officer Temporary Assistant	Channel for communication with the Press. Press enquiries and guidance. Arrangement of Press interviews and background talks with officers at the Air Ministry. Liaison with News Division, M of I and with Press Officers of other Government Departments. Sub-editing of news stories. Preparation of daily News Analysis and Monthly Analysis of Reviews. Circulation of 'tape' news and BBC monitoring report.
PR 2 (b)
G Thomas E N Parker E R A Wilson	Press Officer Assistant Press Officer Assistant Press Officer	Preparation of casualty, awards and other non-operational communiqués and bulletins (including notes of careers), monthly Statistical Review of Operations, news articles and briefs. Digest of public opinion of RAF for the Air Staff. Review of operations for RAF News and other Service journals.
PR 2 (c)
Miss M I Lee C A Stock	Temporary Assistant Temporary Assistant	Records and statistics of RAF operations, aircraft, air losses, etc for Press references and public use. Press cuttings
R Yeats	Press Officer (Edinburgh)	Liaison with Scottish Press, broadcasting , news reels, etc representatives. Local press enquiries and guidance. Arrangements for press visits, etc in Scotland

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties
Vacant	Wg Cdr	Head of Branch Production of pamphlets, features, etc and press photographs. Factory liaison.
PR 3 (a)
D R Barker A G A Harmsworth H E Bates J S Pudney R Hudson J Macadam J C F G Bentley M M Hamilton F A Walbank	Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Flt Lt Fg Off SO Plt Off	Preparation of official propaganda pamphlets and of feature stories and narratives other than news in conjunction with Senior Public Relations Officers.
PR 3 (Ph)
W E Truby W J R Quann H D S Chadwick D M Harrison D Nelson Miss A M Johnson	Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Flt Lt SO SO Temporary Assistant	Direction of official photographers. Supply of official photographs (including 'stills' from official films) to M of I for press and publicity purposes. Photographic library of official and agency photographs.
PR 3 (b)
J E Mann P R Tanton	Sqn Ldr Fg Off	Liaison on propaganda with MAP, Ministry of Supply, etc. Supply of personnel for factory visits.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, 1944 - AIR 20/7517 (AL22 - Jan 1944)

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties
D R Barker (AL34) Vacant (AL45)	Wg Cdr	Head of Branch AL34 Production of pamphlets, features, etc and press photographs. Factory liaison. AL45 Production of pamphlets, features, etc and press photographs.
PR 3 (a)
H E Bates (AL34) A G A Harmsworth (AL34) W V Noble (AL34) J S Pudney R F Delderfield (AL34) R E Huson (AL34) F A Walbank	Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Flt Lt Flt Lt	Preparation of official propaganda pamphlets and of feature articles and narratives other than news in conjunction with Senior Public Relations Officers. Stories of named aircraft and squadrons.
PR 3 (b)
W E Truby (AL34) T H Palmer (AL45) J R Quann D M Harrison (AL34) D Nelson A M Johnson (AL34)	Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Flt Off Flt Off Temporary Assistant	Direction of official photographers. Supply of official photographs (including 'stills' from official films) to M of I for press and publicity purposes. Photographic library of official and agency photographs.
PR 3 (c)
J E Mann	Sqn Ldr	Liaison on propaganda with MAP, Ministry of Supply, etc. Supply of personnel for factory visits.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)

Name

Status/Rank

Role/Duties

E B Beauman

W Pollock

W M Caverhill

V A Higgins

Vacant

Wg Cdr (Ret'd) - Head of Branch

Sqn Ldr

Flt Off

Liaison with the BBC and other Broadcasting corporations on broadcasting questions affecting the RAF and broadcasts by Service personnel (except entertainment and welfare broadcasts arranged by AFW 3 (b)).

Scrutiny and approval of articles and books by Service personnel.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, 1944 - AIR 20/7517 (AL22 - Jan 1944)

Name

Status/Rank

Role/Duties

E B Beauman

H J Downing

S A Carr

P Sykes

Wg Cdr (Ret'd) - Head of Branch

Sqn Ldr

Flt Off

Scrutiny and approval of articles and books by Service personnel.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties
C R S Bradley	Gp Capt	Head of Branch Chief Air Advisor to M of I
Air Advisors
C Chapman B H Bevan-Petman M A B King-Hamilton T A Costigan A Duxbury J A Simpson	Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Flt Lt	Guidance to the Press at the M of I on operational matters. Security censorship (under the direction of ACAS (I) through D of I (S)) of press material on air matters (including news reels and films, books, broadcasts, records, etc) submitted to Censorship Division of M of I. Censorship of material resulting from facility visits to RAF stations and examination for Service policy and suitability. Censorship of, and advice on, official publications and propaganda referred to M of I. Security examination of press cables from overseas.
Air Affairs
P A Hope-Wallace J L T Roberts C R Preece	Press Officer - Head of Section Assistant Press Officer Assistant Press Officer	Handling of communiqués and bulletins from Air Ministry for issue through M of I. Press enquiries at M of I. Maintenance of records of RAF operations, aircraft, personnel, squadrons, etc for press reference.
PR 5 (c)
T F J Connor	Accounts Officer	General questions on works accounting procedure
A J Hodges Miss D Facer	Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer	Audit of cash accounts of Works areas (home)
Travelling Audit Staff
R J Holt H H Hunt E Black J W Lee	Assistant Accounts Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer	Local audit of wages, salaries and stores accounts at Work areas (home)

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Name	Status/Rank	Role/Duties
Air Advisors
C R S Bradley	Gp Capt	Head of Branch Chief Air Advisor to M of I
C Chapman	Wg Cdr	Guidance to the Press at the M of I on operational matters.
Air Affairs
P A Hope-Wallace J L T Roberts	Press Officer - Head of Section Assistant Press Officer	Handling of communiqués and bulletins from Air Ministry for issue through M of I. Press enquiries at M of I. Maintenance of records of RAF operations, aircraft, personnel, squadrons, etc for press reference.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)

Name

Status

Role/Duties

P B Showan

H R Bourne

D S Chetwood

C Middleton

H W Wiley

W M Bradley

R V J Burnel

M C Hollis

R Irwin

E Menzies

R C White

Wg Cdr - Head of Branch

Sqn Ldr

Flt Lt

Preparation of Air Ministry communiqués of operations (Under the direction of ACAS (G)) and liaison with other Service Departments, CCO and Ministry of Home Security, in connection therewith.

Security control (Under the direction of ACAS (I), through D of I (S)) of material issued by Air Ministry for publication.

Advice on Air Staff policy in relation to operational news.

Guidance on significance of current operational information.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, 1944 - AIR 20/7517 (AL22 - Jan 1944)

Name

Status

Role/Duties

L F Heald

P B Showan

C Middleton

H R Bourne

W M Bradley

M C Hollis

R Irwin

E Menzies

H W Wiley

R V J Burnel

Gp Capt - Head of Branch

Wg Cdr - Head of Branch

Sqn Ldr

Flt Lt

Preparation of Air Ministry communiqués of operations (Under the direction of ACAS (G)) and liaison with other Service Departments, CCO and Ministry of Home Security, in connection therewith.

Security control (Under the direction of ACAS (I), through D of I (S)) of material issued by Air Ministry for publication.

Advice on Air Staff policy in relation to operational news.

Guidance on significance of current operational information.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, 1944 - AIR 20/7517 (AL24 - Mar 1944)

Name

Status

Role/Duties

P B Showan

H R Bourne

C Middleton

H W Wiley

P Bracher

R V J Burnel

A N Hoole

R Irwin

G L Samson

I T Stamp

R C White

Wg Cdr - Head of Branch

Sqn Ldr

Flt Lt

Preparation of Air Ministry communiqués of operations (Under the direction of ACAS (G)) and liaison with other Service Departments, CCO and Ministry of Home Security, in connection therewith.

Security control (Under the direction of ACAS (I), through D of I (S)) of material issued by Air Ministry for publication.

Advice on Air Staff policy in relation to operational news.

NB - This Branch had closed by December 1945

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Name	Status	Role/Duties
F M Milne H V Case	Publicity Officer - Head of Branch Staff Officer	Publicity, exhibitions and Information Bureaux.
PR 8 (a)
E Holmes Miss D Hartley	Layout Artist Assistant Layout Artist	Preparation of publicity material for recruiting etc. Co-ordinating and editing, in conjunction with M of I of Air Ministry press adverting
PR 8 (b)
A F Wyatt L A Rushbrooke H A Digby J G Potts Vacant	Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Temporary Assistant Temporary Assistant Temporary Assistant	Organisation of exhibitions with other publicity displays; design and display of publicity material. Liaison with M of I on publicity and exhibitions.
PR 8 (c)
J R Smith	Temporary Assistant	Publicity Stores - custody and issue. Accounting section of DPR
Information Bureaux (AMIB)
P Griffiths	Higher Clerical Officer	Public enquiries on RAF, WAAF and ATC recruiting requirements and on aviation generally.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Name	Status	Role/Duties
A S Allberry (AL45) H V Case	Publicity Officer - Head of Branch Staff Officer	Publicity, exhibitions and Information Bureaux.
PR 8 (a)
E Holmes Miss D Hartley	Layout Artist Assistant Layout Artist	Preparation of publicity material for recruiting etc. Co-ordinating and editing, in conjunction with M of I of Air Ministry press adverting
PR 8 (b)
A F Wyatt L A Rushbrooke V Kirby H A Digby Vacant	Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Special Appointment Temporary Assistant Temporary Assistant	Organisation of exhibitions with other publicity displays; design and display of publicity material. Liaison with M of I on publicity and exhibitions.
PR 8 (c)
J R Smith	Temporary Assistant	Publicity Stores - custody and issue. Accounting section of DPR
Information Bureaux (AMIB)
P Griffiths	Higher Clerical Officer	Public enquiries on RAF, WAAF and ATC recruiting requirements and on aviation generally.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)

Name	Status	Role/Duties
H D Blow	Senior Staff Officer	Head of Branch Organisation of facilities and issue of permits to visit RAF stations and Air Ministry establishment by press, film, newsreel and broadcast representatives. Licensing of war correspondents, register of 'approved' correspondents. Arrangements for press conferences. Liaison with M of I and other Departments on press facilities.
F E Douglas de Fenzi	Higher Clerical Officer	Visits concerning Bomber and Coastal Commands.
S Bloomfield	Higher Clerical Officer	Visits concerning Fighter and Balloon Commands. All questions concerning War Correspondents.
C J Gravener	Higher Clerical Officer	Visits concerning Transport, Technical Training, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL34 - Jan 1945)

Name	Status	Role/Duties
H D Blow	Senior Staff Officer	Head of Branch Organisation of facilities and issue of permits to visit RAF stations and Air Ministry establishment by press, film, newsreel and broadcast representatives. Licensing of war correspondents, register of 'approved' correspondents. Arrangements for press conferences. Liaison with M of I and other Departments on press facilities.
F E Douglas de Fenzi	Higher Clerical Officer	Visits concerning Bomber and Coastal Commands.
Vacant	Higher Clerical Officer	Visits concerning Fighter Command. All questions concerning War Correspondents.
C J Gravener	Higher Clerical Officer	Visits concerning Transport, Technical Training, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands.

Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL45 - Dec 1945)