Four letters from Gordon Reinhold Bald to his father, one written when a pupil at Eastmans Royal Naval Academy, Winchester, 1 February circa 1890s; the remaining three written when as a midshipman on board the MAGNIFICENT, 12 October 1901 to 22 November 1901. Also includes his service certificates, correspondence with family, a photograph of thr crew of the RESOLUTION in 1916 and a copy of THE TIMES newspaper, 26 January 1793, on the execution of Louis XVI; photographs of G. R. Bald as an officer; a photograph of the BRITANNIA training ship circa 1890s.

Administrative / biographical background
Bald entered the Navy on 15 May 1900 and trained on HMS BRITANNIA. He served as midshipman on the FURIOUS and MAGNIFICENT, receiving his post on 15 September 1901. He then served on the DEFIANCE being promoted sub-lieutenant on 15 November 1904. He was appointed to the VIVID I between 1906 and 1907 and the ALGERINE between 1908 and 1910. He was promoted to lieutenant on 15 May 1906. He was promoted lieutenant-commander on 15 May 1914 and served on the RESOLUTION between 1916 and 1917. Bald was commander of the MALAYA between 1923 and 1925. He was brought to the notice of the Admiralty for valuable services in the proseution of the war on 15 July 1919. He was on the retired list with the rank of Captain on 6 November 1931. His full service record is available via the National Archives' Documents Online website: ref: ADM 196/126.