Oliver Strachey

1 portrait of Oliver Strachey

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Oliver Strachey

by Gilbert de Beauregard Robinson
bromide print mounted on board, 1941-1942
9 5/8 in. x 7 5/8 in. (243 mm x 194 mm) image size
Purchased, 1979
Photographs Collection
NPG x13091

Sitterback to top

  • Oliver Strachey (1874-1960), Musician, civil servant and author; cryptographer. Sitter in 49 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

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Events of 1941back to top

Current affairs

The Blitz continues with sustained Luftwaffe attacks on British cities. As the bombing went on the urban population got used to the black out, the air raid sirens and nights spent in shelter. The idea emerged (to some extent a myth) of the 'spirit of the Blitz' where people pulled together united, disregarding traditional class and social divisions.

Art and science

Frank Whittle demonstrates the first test-flight of a plane powered by jet propulsion. Although the German, Hans von Ohain, built the first jet plane, Whittle was the first to patent a design for the jet engine (in 1930), and his subsequent work helped to advance the technology and made Britain leaders in the field.

International

The Soviet Union and America join the Allies. The Soviet Union was forced to switch sides after Hitler attacked in June 1941, reneging the Soviet-Nazi pact. Six months later the US Navy was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbour. The following day the USA declared war on Japan, and three days later Germany and Italy declared war on America.

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Bill Robinson

03 January 2021, 21:06

As the number on the building confirms, this photograph was taken at 345 Laurier Avenue East in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Strachey served as Director of Canada's fledgling codebreaking organization, the Examination Unit (XU), from January 1942 until his replacement in August 1942 by F.A. (Tony) Kendrick, who was also on loan from GC&CS. The XU, which was under the administrative aegis of the National Research Council (thus the sign), moved to 345 Laurier from other NRC premises in March 1942. These facts and the foliage evident in the photo indicate that it was taken in the spring or summer of 1942. The photographer, Gilbert deB Robinson, was one of the original XU staff members and served as acting Director of the XU in 1945 following Kendrick's return to England.