A Clear Case of Genius by Reginald 'Blinker' Hall

Author:Reginald 'Blinker' Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780750985109
Publisher: The History Press

28.7.17

ID Minute.

I do not recommend approval of this proposal. The BIR1 can carry out research on lines suggested by the Admiralty. The extension of circulation of these reports is to be deprecated. It will only lead to irresponsible criticism.

W R H

Now the usual custom at the Admiralty, and, indeed, in most government offices, in dealing with any such Minute, was to extract its general sense and draft a suitably diplomatic letter from it. In this case for some reason or other this was not done. Unluckily for me, the original docket with my Minute attached was sent to the Board of Inventions.

I was unaware of what had been done until some days later a violent ring called me to the First Lord.

It did not need more than a glance to see that something was wrong. Sir Eric Geddes was champing in his room like a wild horse.

Waving a piece of paper in his hand, he cried out: ‘What the devil have you been doing?’

Purposely I began to give him a literal reply. ‘Lately we have been exceedingly busy with a new chart-system …’

‘No, no, no. I mean, what have you been doing to Lord Fisher?’

So that was the trouble! ‘Nothing,’ I said. ‘He’s not at the Admiralty. I’ve done nothing at all to Lord Fisher.’

‘Haven’t you! Then read that.’

He thrust the paper, dated 2 August 1917, into my hands.

The Remarks of Admiral W.R. Hall are such that it seems to me that unless he is removed it will be necessary for me to resign.

Fisher

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