MenuInventory of the Norman A. Hutchings Papers, 1939-1946 and undated
Abstract
Norman Hutchings entered the Royal Navy in 1941 and received his training on board H.M.S. Collinwood. He then served as a signalman on board the destroyer, H.M.S. Faulknor, which was involved in the Battle of the Atlantic against German submarines that preyed on British merchant ships. In 1943, Hutchings posted to the naval headquarters at Fort St. Angelo on Malta.
The papers of British-born Norman A. Hutchings span the years 1939-1946, and document Hutchings' experiences during World War II serving aboard several ships in the British Royal Navy. Norman Hutchings entered the Navy in 1941 and received his training on board H.M.S. Collinwood. He then served as a signalman on board the destroyer, H.M.S. Faulknor, which was involved in the Battle of the Atlantic against German submarines that preyed on British merchant ships. In 1943, Hutchings posted to the naval headquarters at Fort St. Angelo on Malta. The collection consists of 488 items gathered by Hutchings during his World War II experience, and include correspondence, diaries, newspaper clippings, photographs, theater programs and ticket stubs, and other personal notes and ephemera. The materials are arranged in groups by format: Clippings, Correspondence, Diaries, Ephemera, Naval Messages, and Photographs.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Hutchings, Norman A.
- Title
- Norman A. Hutchings Papers, 1939-1946 and undated
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 1.2 Linear Feet, 488 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The papers of British-born Norman A. Hutchings span the years 1939-1946, and document Hutchings' experiences during World War II serving aboard several ships in the British Royal Navy. Norman Hutchings entered the Navy in 1941 and received his training on board H.M.S. Collinwood. He then served as a signalman on board the destroyer, H.M.S. Faulknor, which was involved in the Battle of the Atlantic against German submarines that preyed on British merchant ships. In 1943, Hutchings posted to the naval headquarters at Fort St. Angelo on Malta. The collection consists of 488 items gathered by Hutchings during his World War II experience, and include correspondence, diaries, newspaper clippings, photographs, theater programs and ticket stubs, and other personal notes and ephemera. The materials are arranged in groups by format: Clippings, Correspondence, Diaries, Ephemera, Naval Messages, and Photographs. The correspondence is primarily between Norman and his wife, Iris, but there are other exchanges with family members and friends. While the correspondence mainly details Hutchings's family home life, the seven small diaries, with daily entries written in very tiny handwriting, contain descriptions of civilian life during the Battle of Britain, as well as detailed accounts of shipboard life on the H.M.S. Faulknor and dated events such as German bombing raids in Britain. Acquired as part of the William B. Hamilton Collection of British Manuscripts.
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllOne folder containing 63 items, more than half of which are comic strips. The articles include information on the Fortress of St. Angelo where Norman Hutchings was stationed on Malta as well as a few articles on naval actions and soccer highlights.
Twenty-seven folders consisting of letters to and from Norman Hutchings as well as a few letters to his wife Iris from people other than Norman. The bulk of the correspondence is between Norman and Iris. Arranged in alphabetical order by last name of writer.
Consists of seven diaries, each in its own envelope, with the envelopes inside two folders. The diary from 1940 provides descriptions of air raids on Britain by the Germans. The diaries from 1941 through 1945 provide details of life aboard the destroyer, H.M.S. Faulknor, in the Atlantic, as well as Hutchings's time in Malta. The diary for 1942 is very fragile; please handle with care. Arranged chronologically.
One folder consisting of 31 items, half of which are theater programs and ticket stubs originating from Italy. The remaining items consist of cards, notes, and a map of Surrey, England, which was Norman Hutchings's home.
One folder consisting of seven items, mostly personal notes written on scraps of message paper commonly available to a naval signalman. One note marks the date that the defeated Italian Battle Fleet anchored at Malta.
Two folders consisting of 39 black and white prints, mainly a package of prints featuring scenes of Bruges. Snapshots of Norman and his shipmates on Malta are also included. Also included are the packaging materials the prints came in.
Historical Note
Chronology List
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 1909 Jan. 9 | Born a British citizen |
| 1941 June | Joined Royal Navy |
| 1943 Sept. | Based in Malta |
Subject Headings
- Hutchings, Norman A.
- Hutchings, Iris.
- Hutchings family.
- Great Britain. Royal Navy.
- Great Britain. Royal Navy--History--20th century.
- Great Britain. Royal Navy--History--World War, 1939-1945.
- Great Britain--Social conditions--20th century.
- World War, 1939-1945--Great Britain.
- World War, 1939-1945--Malta.
- World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, British.
- World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Great Britain.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Norman A. Hutchings Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Provenance
The Norman A. Hutchings Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 2002.
Processing Information
Processed by Kenneth Dasher, June 2009
Encoded by Kenneth Dasher, June 2009
Accession 2002-0058 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.