Secretary of State for War, Captain David Margesson, accompanying the Prime Minister Winston Churchill on a visit to the Experimental Establishment, Shoeburyness, June 1941

Official photograph by Major W G Horton, War Office photographer, World War Two (1939-1945), June 1941.

Margesoon, in bowler hat, pointing with an umbrella, confers with the Director of Artillery, Major General Clarke (far left). Margesson served with the 11th Hussars during World War One (1914-1918). The Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair (second from left) served with Churchill on the Western Front. The naval officer (fifth from left) is Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes.

The Experimental Branch, Shoeburyness, Essex, was originally part of the Royal Artillery School of Gunnery and was established in 1859. It was focused on the development of experimental weaponry and defence systems. From 1920 until 1948 it was known as the Experimental Establishment.

From an album containing 58 photographs relating to the Auxiliary Territorial Service Experimental Gunnery Assistants, Experimental Establishment, Shoeburyness, 1940-1941.