The papers include official service documents; logs, 1878 to 1879, 1880 to 1882, 1884 to 1885; notes, photographs and diaries for the Boer War period; an official out-letterbook, 1912 to 1913; a diary kept by Limpus's wife during their stay in Turkey and letters from Limpus to his wife, 1912 to 1916. There are also letters concerning the Dardanelles Campaign from Admirals de Roebeck (1862-1928) and Wemyss (1864-1933) and Field-Marshal Methuen (1845-1932), Governor of Malta.

Administrative / biographical background
Limpus entered the Navy in 1876. He served in the Alexandra, in the Mediterranean, 1878 to 1879, in the Bacchante, Detached Squadron, 1880 to 1882, and the Albacore, again in the Mediterranean, 1884 to 1885. He was made a lieutenant in 1885 and a commander in 1898. He took a prominent part in the relief of Ladysmith when he was second-in-command of the Naval Brigade during the Boer War. He was specially promoted to captain in 1900 for his efforts. In 1910 he was made rear-admiral, hoisting his flag in the Jupiter, Home Fleet. Between 1912 and 1914 he was Naval Adviser to Turkey and was made vice-admiral in the Turkish Navy. Between 1914 and 1916 he was Admiral Superintendent at Malta and was much concerned with the organization of supplies to the Dardanelles. He was President of the Shell Committee at the Admiralty in 1917 and retired in 1919.