[ Hugh Foss, Bletchley Park codebreaker. ] Draft of Autograph Letter Signed ('Hugh Foss') as Vice Chairman, Chelsea Reel Club: a circular regarding 'the first meeting of the new season', including the meeting's 'Agenda' in six numbered parts.

Author: 
Hugh Foss [ Hugh Rose Foss ] (1902-1971), British cryptanalyst, a Bletchley Park codebreaker [Japanese; Chelsea Reel Club (for Scottish country dancing); German Enigma Code; Japanese Naval Codes ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 37 Robyns Way, Sevenoaks, Kent. Undated. [ Shortly before 'the Ball at Chelsea Town Hall on Friday, 29th October, 1937'. ]
£220.00
SKU: 20124

Foss was a distinguished cryptanalyst, and his career is described in his entry in the Oxford DNB. At Bletchley Park during the Second World War he was the first person to decode a day's worth of the German Enigma Code (in 1940); and heading the Japanese Naval Section in Hut 7 (between 1942 and 1943). His wife Alison (née Graham, 1908-1979) inspired his interest in Scottish country dancing in the early 1930s. He was Vice-President of the Chelsea Reel Club on its formation in 1935; and became Chairman in 1938. While at Bletchley he taught a regular class on the subject. Aside from his cryptanalytic achievements, Foss is remembered for 'devising and publishing many very ingenious country dances'. 1p., 4to. On light-brown paper. In good condition, lightly aged. In pencil at top left is Foss's instruction: '30 copies thin paper'. The document begins: 'Dear Sir (or Madam), | As the Hon. Secretary is on holiday I have been asked to inform you that Lady Chalmers has very kindly invited the Guarantors to hold their first meeting of the new season at 19, Carlyle Mansions, Cheyne Walk, S.W.3. at 6.0 p.m on Tuesday, 7th September, 1937. I hope you will be able to attend it.' A short passage relating to 'any Guarantor's resignation' follows, before the meeting's 'Agenda', in six numbered parts. The longest part is the third, relating to a 'proposed addition to the constitution'. The Fifth point concerns 'Arrangements for the Ball at Chelsea Town Hall on Friday, 29th October, 1937'. Note: This item derives from the surviving archive of the Chelsea Reel Club.