In 1940 a quiet provincial Spa town in the Midlands became home to the Camouflage Directorate, a government funded unit that was to research and apply camouflage for military and civilian use. To do this, men and women - artists, designers, draughtsmen, photographers and technicians - were brought together to form the Camouflage Directorate at Leamington Spa. |
This Unit, described as “a group of maniacs”, worked in secrecy on camouflage. They were based around Spencer Yard and the Old Museum and Art Gallery. Their administrative headquarters was at the Regent Hotel and the Research and Development site was at The Gables on Kenilworth Road |
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This photograph shows some of the Camouflage Directorate taken in Leamington Spa during the War. Photograph reproduced by kind permission of Virginia Ironside |
Taken at a local aerodrome near Harbury, artists, technicians and RAF support staff prepare to photograph and draw key sites for camouflage. Photograph reproduced by kind permission of Emma Tristram. |
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This sketch shows some of the Directorate relaxing, after a hard day’s camouflaging. Drawing reproduced by kind permission of Emma Tristram. |
The Unit in a humourous mood. Front row l-r: Ronalson (first name unknown), George Mackeson, Hugh de Poix; back row l-r: Ted Newling, Francis Helps, unidentified, Cosmo Clark, unidentified, Gerald Trice Martin, Capt L.M. Glasson, unidentified. Photograph reproduced by kind permission of William Glasson. |
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Admiralty Camouflage Lecture, Leamington Spa |