Colleagues, With years of study of military history, up to university level I am almost embarrassed to ask this one. I am trying to find lists of Army Staff College students and staff from the late 20s to the late 30s. I know you can see individuals assigned to the Staff College in the London Gazette, but I am trying to cross reference directing staff and students later in WW2. Intuitively, there must be a series of documentary lists, but looking at Kew and at the National Army Museum seems not to indicate them. I also know that some of the information has gone online via Sandhurst lately, but the size of the sample I want to check would be very expensive based on their costs. Very grateful for hints, ideas or pointers! Phil
You may wish to try the archives here, if you have not already. there are of course restrictions: Archives — Defence Academy of the United Kingdom Student nominal rolls of the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Naval Staff Colleges and of the Joint Services Defence College/National Defence College (restricted access in accordance with MoD regulation).
Wills, most kind - I was an MOD Civil Servant and retain some rights, so I'll ask. I am hoping against hope that there is an open access archive.
As I understand it pre-war entry was by passing the exam and by selection. There should be records of the selection board(s). I don't think there were exams in WW2 and course were much shorter (the WO Historical monograph on Training (copy in TNA) should provide details), but presumably there was some form of selection, but perhaps left to the relevant AG branch (ie regt/corps). Of course officers of the British Army also attended Staff College in India (my father was one), obviously moving back to UK for a short course wasn't practical. Was there a Staff College in the Middle East? It's possible that selection for SC India was handled by GHQ Delhi and the records of attendees are there (best of luck with that one!). Of course there should be official course photographs with names, perhaps in IWM or NAM?
At the start of the war Galloway was commanding the 1st battalion The Cameronians. In February 1940 he was selected to command, in the rank of acting brigadier, the new Staff College at Haifa in Palestine. (Wiki) Lieutenant-General Sir Alexander Galloway KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1895 – 1977) was an officer in the British Army during World War I and World War II. He was particularly highly regarded as a staff officer and as such had an influential role in the outcome of Operation Crusader in 1941. STAFF COLLEGE, CAMBERLEY. (Hansard, 4 March 1925) You can search year (s) of choice. STAFF COLLEGE, CAMBERLEY. (Hansard, 24 March 1936) If you have the time and patience ! Officers who have attended Staff College and Camberley staff are recorded in the Army Lists - (use search box) Good Hunting! Internet Archive Search: the army list
