Colonial Defence Committee, and Committee of Imperial Defence, Colonial Defence Committee...

This series consists of the memoranda of the Colonial Defence Committee from 1885, and of the Committee of Imperial Defence's Colonial Defence Committee, later Oversea Defence Committee, from 1904.

Papers in the (M) series are concerned with the defence of particular colonies and those in the (ODC) series with overseas defence more generally.

Topics covered included all matters of colonial defence and the use of British ports abroad, together with air navigation, anti-aircraft, the use of wireless and official telegrams, the composition and organisation of local forces, provision for overseas commands and coaling stations.

Chronological

Records of the War Cabinet, Oversea Defence Committee after August 1939 continue in CAB 94

• Colonial Defence Committee, 1885-1904
• Committee of Imperial Defence, Colonial Defence Committee, 1904-1911
• Committee of Imperial Defence, Oversea Defence Committee, 1911-1939

Topics

Radio and television

Communications

These memoranda were circulated for the purposes of information and discussion to members of the Colonial Defence and Oversea Defence Committees, and to other members of the Committee of Imperial Defence, ministers, officials and representatives of the Army, Admiralty and War Office as required.