Elkins, Sir Robert Francis, Vice-Admiral, 1903-1985.

The papers comprises Elkin's midshipman's journal, 1921 to 1923, his summaries and reports on Invergordon, 1931, and a later report written in 1967 for Captain Stephen Roskill's (1903- ) use in his history on Naval Policy between the Wars (London, 1968) as well as Elkin's wartime 'Line' books. These include accounts (as well as his official report, 1947) of his escape from St Valery, and of the proceedings for the surrender of the German squadron at Copenhagen. The draft of Elkin's reminiscences is closed to readers, by Admiralty direction, until 2004 A.D. The remainder of this group consists of arrangements for ceremonial Royal occasions, 1948 to 1951, and a selection of sea shanties, arranged for orchestra. The papers also include Len Wincott's book Invergordon mutineer (London, 1974) and the publicity given to his visit to England, also in that year.

Administrative / biographical background
After attending the Royal Naval Colleges at Osborne and Dartmouth, Elkins joined the Atlantic Fleet, 1921 to 1923, as a midshipman in the HOOD, WRYNECK and WILD SWAN successively. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1924, qualified as an Interpreter (German) in 1928 and specialised in gunnery in 1929. During the Invergordon incident of 1931 he was the lieutenant in charge of the VALIANT'S shore patrol on the evening when the trouble began. In 1937 he became a commander and in 1939 took command of the BIDEFORD in China and the Mediterranean. In 1940 as Naval Liaison Officer he was sent to assist the intended evacuation of the 51st Highland Division from St Valery-en-Caux but fog prevented the main withdrawal Elkins was captured but he and Captain Lesley Hulls of the Gordon Highlanders escaped and sailed to England. After this Elkins served in the RENOWN which was one of the four ships that bombarded Genoa in February, 1941. Elkins was appointed to the Naval Ordnance Department at Bath and was promoted to captain in 1942 He then went to the DIDO, Home Fleet (Tenth Cruiser Squadron) in 1944 and was at Copenhagen when the Germans surrendered. In 1952 Elkins was aide-de-camp to King George VI and to Queen Elizabeth II, becoming a rear-admiral in that year and a vice-admiral in 1955 From 1955 to 1956 he was second-in-command on the Far East Station and then, from 1956 to 1958, was Flag Officer, British Joint Staff Mission, Washington. He retired in 1959.