| Description | Additional deposit: manuscript memo written by Anthony Eden and signed 'A.E.'. Dated 27 April 1932 [although the content of the note suggests this should be a decade later during the Second World War]. The item refers to Enigma which, at this time, was top secret. It appears that this note was passed across the Cabinet table. In it, Eden is careful not to make any direct reference to the Enigma intercepts, for most members of the War Cabinet knew nothing of Enigma. An additional note, in a different hand, is included on the slip of paper. This additional note was written by Churchill, seemingly for the text of his telegram to Auchinleck in Cairo [see M. Gilbert, 'The Churchill Documents', volume 17, page 595].
The depositor suggests that as Eden was careful about secret matters, he is confident that Eden would not knowingly have allowed this memo to leave the house. |
| Custodial History | David Dilks was, during the 1960s, a research assistant to Sir Anthony Eden. This slip of paper came to light amidst voluminous papers sent to David Dilks when he was dealing with the proofs of 'Facing the Dictators'. |