World War Two/Militaria: Extremely important pair of signals...

Hammer

£3,800

World War Two/Militaria: Extremely important pair of signals dated 3rd September, 1939. Both are coded, the first stamped in red 'W/T Room for Dispatch Return to War Registry' and 'Final Clearance' written in pencil 'Home H/F', presumably Home Fleet and timed 1120-1123, only five minutes after war was declared. Titled Most Immediate from Admiralty Special Telegram Total Germany to Commander in Chief Home Fleet and then a coded message. The second telegram is timed at 1145 and bears another coded message, however it is decoded in the same hand and reads 'Commence hostilities at once with Germany 1117/3'. Provenance via direct descent from Chief Officer William Fincham, later Lt. Admiralty Shore Wireless Service. Lt. Fincham's service record confirms he was stationed at HMS President (Whitehall) until 31st December, 1939.