Massy-Greene, Sir Walter

Collection relating to the Second World War experiences of Sir Walter Massy-Greene MP and Senator pre-war; and Andrew Melville Pooley, entrepreneur and former intelligence officer, Australia and India, 1940-1941.

Collection consists of 59 telegrams, original letters, and carbon copies of letters spanning the period 25 April 1940 to 27 November 1941. These are all either carbon copies of letters from Massy-Greene to Pooley (predominantly), Robert Menzies, or other ministers, or are original letters written by Pooley to Massy-Greene. The sole exception is a letter written by Massy-Greene to a friend from India in late 1940. With his background in naval intelligence and foreign positions, Pooley begins his initial communications with Massy-Greene regarding the current state of intelligence in Australia, and his fears that adequate precautions are not being taken to safeguard Australia against Nazism and Communism. Approximately half of the collection consists of letters relating to intelligence issues written between Massy-Greene and Pooley. This includes, on occasions, dossiers and intelligence gathered about certain people of suspicion. Despite the topic of intelligence and espionage being prominent, most of the letters express the individuals' opinions on the progress of the war, Robert Menzies' ability to be Prime Minister, and other related political material. The remainder of the letters discuss general personal affairs or Pooley's business ventures.