| Description | Comprises correspondence with Neville Chamberlain:
/1: Signed letter from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 2 December 1935. Congratulating members of 'our Party' on the 'magnificent result' in the recent contest in the Edgbaston Division. Offers his appreciation to all members of the Branch for their efforts in 'the resounding victory'.
/2: Letter from R. C. Yates to Neville Chamberlain, 10 December 1935. Acknowledges Neville's appreciation of the work by the North Edgbaston Men's Branch during the recent election. On behalf of the members, confirms how proud 'we all are of our member'.
/3: Letter from R. C. Yates to Neville Chamberlain, 9 January 1936. Thanks Neville for the gift of a signed portrait which was presented to the Chairmen of the branches in the Division. Thanks Neville for 'such a tangible memento of the 1935 Election'. Thinks he ought present the portrait to the North edgbaston Men's Branch 'but I am going to be completely selfish and keep it for myself'.
/4: Signed letter from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 13 January 1936. Thanks for letter dated 9 January 1936. Is glad that R. C. Yates will keep the portrait as a personal possession, 'for this was, in fact, what I had intended'.
/5: Signed letter dated from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 29 June 1936. Thanks for letter regarding the fish incident. 'There cannot be many like it in the water'.
/6: Bundle of copy correspondence titled 'Presidency of [the Birmingham] Conservative Club' between Neville Chamberlain, R. C. Yates and G. A. C. Pettitt [Chairman], 1 October 1935 to 21 October 1935. The question of finding a successor as President after the death of Sir Francis Newdegate; rejection from the senior member, Sir Austen Chamberlain; invitation offered to Neville assuring him that his election 'would be most enthusiastically received'; congratulates Neville on his 'fine speech at Margate'; Neville accepts the office of President after a 'renewed invitation'; G. A. C. Pettitt writes all members present 'heartily supported' the election of Neville as Chairman.
/7: Letter from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 22 March 1937. Thanks for letter regarding sympathy after the death of Austen Chamberlain; acknowledges Austen's death 'will be deeply felt throughout Birmingham'.
/8: Draft letter by R. C. Yates, 28 May 1937. Congratulates Neville on accepting the post of Prime Minister; best wishes to Mrs Chamberlain 'for the great part she will have to play in these coming years'; would be proud to be of service if required.
/9: Letter with envelope from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 31 May 1937. Thanks R. C. Yates for his letter congratulating him on becoming Prime Minister.
/10: Letter from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 15 February 1938. Congratulates the Edgbaston Ward for their excellent response' to the Lord Mayor's appeal to recruit volunteers to serve as Air Raid Wardens.
/11: Draft note by R. C. Yates written after Munich, October 1938. Admiration and gratitude for Neville 'the one man in Europe who could resolve sanity in our time'; hopes he will visit Birmingham on 14 October.
/12: Letter from R. C. Yates to Neville Chamberlain, 4 October 1938. The resolution meeting in the Edgbaston Ward following the Munich Conference; meeting devoted to thanks for all the Prime Minister's work 'in preserving the peace of Europe'.
/13: Handwritten signed letter from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 11 October 1938. Gratified to hear the 'encouraging account' of the resolution meeting of the Edgbaston Ward Association following Munich.
/14: Letter from R. C. Yates to Neville Chamberlain, 13 October 1938. Appreciative to receive previous letter which he read to the North Edgbaston Men's Branch and the Gillott Road Women's Branch; hopes the weather conditions improve for Neville to have 'one or two decent days' fishing'.
/15: Signed letter from Neville Chamberlain to R. C. Yates, 24 October 1938. Warm thanks for kind message 'during these difficult and anxious times'.
/16: Draft letter by R. C. Yates, 28 December 1938. Grateful thanks to Neville for agreeing to sign a photograph of himself after Mrs Yates arranged it to be a Christmas present.
/17-20: Correspondence between Mr and Mrs R. C. Yates and Neville Chamberlain's Private Secretary, 20 January 1939 to 7 February 1939. Making arrangements for Edgbaston Division Officers to attend Mrs Chamberlain's 'At Home'.
Correspondence relating to Neville Chamberlain:
/21-23: Correspondence between R. C. Yates and Alfred E. Baker, 24 July 1937 to 7 August 1937. Relating to three negative photographs of Neville Chamberlain during a visit to the Botanical Gardens Fete, Birmingham.
Printed material:
/24: Compliment card from Mrs Stephen Lloyd [Neville Chamberlain's daughter], 29 June 1936. Thanks for 'the lovely flowers'; 'the son is doing splendidly'.
/25: Three photographs of Neville Chamberlain at the Botanical Gardens Fete, Birmingham on 3 July 1937. Taken by 'Baker Junr'.
/26: Luncheon invitation to 'Councillor R. Cyril Yates' from the Chairman of the Midland Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations to meet the Prime Minister at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham, 4 February 1938.
/27: 'Mrs Chamberlain At Home' invitation to Councillor and Mrs R. C. Yates, 18 July 1938.
/28: Christmas card from the Prime Minister and Mrs Chamberlain, 1938. Includes photograph of the plane used at the Munich Conference in September 1938.
/29: Christmas card from the Prime Minister and Mrs Chamberlain, 1939. Includes Shakespearean quotation 'now show yourselves men, 'tis for liberty'.
/30: Printed note from Anne Chamberlain to Mr and Mrs Yates, November 1940. Grateful for message of sympathy upon the death of Neville. |