Is there an on-line source for ACI's from about 1943 - 1955?

Discussion in 'Research Material' started by Old Git, Feb 17, 2017.

  1. Old Git

    Old Git Harmless Curmudgeon

    As per the Subject line, has anyone put the Wartime, and post-war ACI's on-line or am I dragging my ancient 'arris to Kew next week?
     
    dbf likes this.
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Nothing that I could find. Wish there was something though.
     
  3. Old Git

    Old Git Harmless Curmudgeon

    Well if you can't find it then it doesn't exist! Dragging my weary bones to Kew next week then!
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Will we be able to ask you for look-ups in the future or are you just checking out a few references while you're at Kew? ;)
     
  5. Old Git

    Old Git Harmless Curmudgeon

    I'll let you know, after I've been! I'm looking for several ACI's but I don't have all their dates and I'm not sure if they'll give the level of detail I require either. I have one I think I know for sure was published in May 1955. If this ACI gives me both the reference and level of detail I need then I may well work my way, laboriously, backwards through all the ACI's until I get what I want. That being the case I may well decide to simply, and quickly, photograph everything as I go...in which case I would happily share those images as a resource on this forum. On the other hand if it doesn't give me the detail I require I might forego the ACI's and spend the time in Nat Arch's looking up a lot of other stuff I need. It's all a case of trying to decide which is the most productive use of my time whilst at Kew.

    However, it strikes me that the ACI's are something we should ask Drew, or one of the other chaps, to start copying and retaining for future access. Although, in truth what we actually need is 'string searchable' PDF's for each yearly, or half-yearly, ACI issues. I don't think we can rely on Kew to make something like this available, either in the short or medium term, so it really would have to be some enterprising soul from here. Drew, do you think you'd be able to take on building searchable PDF's of the ACI's as a background task? Is there a way to do these types at scans using Kews own scanners? I'm afraid I'm not au fait with Kew's copying processes because I've always just used my own camera.
     
    dbf likes this.
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Big thanks for responding so indulgently to my very cheeky question. You know if I didn't ask someone else would come along later.

    Here's hoping your searches at Kew prove to be fruitful and straightforward!


    ACI's are certainly something that'd be of much use if made available online. Along with the likes of King's Regs. (Online digital copies of the Army Lists for example have proved to be very useful for my own research.)

    I know we've discussed in the forum backroom the Resources area as having great potential as a dedicated area for wider sharing, pdfs, spreadsheets, etc, being supported. (Unsure as yet if/how the search engines can actually access them.)



    Noting the TNA series details for anyone else passing by here who might be interested:

    Reference: WO 293
    Title: War Office: Army Council: Instructions
    Description: This series contains a complete set of the formal orders known as Army Council Instructions, from January 1916 to March 1964, when they were superseded by Defence Council Instructions (Army). The series also contains the final years of the preceding War Office Instructions from August 1914 to December 1915.
    Date: 1914-1964
     
  7. Old Git

    Old Git Harmless Curmudgeon

    No problem Dianne, I saw a Tee-Shirt recently which I'm sure you'd appreciate (IIRC you're also from Norn Iron?) it had a big Shamrock on the front and it said "I had the right to remain Silent.....But being Irish I didn't have the ability". I think I should have a stack of these to warn the unwary about asking me questions, even innocuous sounding ones! ;-)
     
    dbf likes this.
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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