H.V.Rhodes 1887 - 1970

Harold Vale Rhodes C.B. maintained a house in St.Annes from around 1920.

He was a London based civil servant and played an important role with the Ministry of Information during wartime. He was called upon to write the first draft of the Kings speech in 1939.

Following the war he was charged with setting up the largest government department ever, the Ministry of National Insurance, part of which was based in Moorland Road, St.Annes.

He retired to his St.Annes home in 1951 until his death in 1970

Times Obituary

Intermediate draft of the Kings speech on the outbreak of war. I did the first draft, a good bit of which remains - but spoiled by translation into long sentances. Spoken stuff should be short winded.

HVR