EDEN ANTHONY: (1897-1977) British Prime Minister 1955-57. An excellent World War II date T.L.S., Anthony Eden ...

EDEN ANTHONY: (1897-1977) British Prime Minister 1955-57. An excellent World War II date T.L.S., Anthony Eden, three pages, 4to, London, 15th April 1943, to Sir Cecil Dormer, on the blind embossed stationery of the Foreign Office. Eden states that he has been commanded by King George VI to convey 'an expression of His regret at the termination of your long and distinguished career in His Diplomatic Service and in the Foreign Office' and continues to provide an account of Dormer's diplomatic career over thirty eight years during which he served in Constantinople, acted as Assistant Private Secretary to Sir Edward Grey and Arthur James Balfour, as well as holding positions in Caracas, Tokyo and Bangkok before being transferred to Oslo in 1934 'where you served until the German occupation of the city in 1940', commenting 'The friendly relations which you had established during this long period with the Norwegian Government proved of the greatest value in the crisis that immediately followed Germany's unprovoked attack on Norway. It was largely thanks to the energy and initiative which you displayed during the first twenty-four hours that the Norwegian Government were enabled to withstand the shock and rally the spirits of their people for the struggle against the invader. You were largely responsible for the Norwegian Government's resolve to move from Oslo to Northern Norway in order to continue the fight and…..your untiring efforts in circumstances of great difficulty and danger proved of the utmost encouragement to the Norwegian Government and people', further stating 'Finally, when it was decided after your visit to this country in May, 1940, to withdraw the Allied Forces from Norway, it fell to you to prevail upon His Majesty King Haakon, who at the last minute had felt it his duty to remain behind, to accompany his Government to the United Kingdom. The success of your personal representations in this critical and delicate matter has proved of the greatest value to the common war effort and will be of no less importance when the time comes for the liberation of Norway and the return of The King and His Government to their own country'. Eden offers more praise to his correspondent, '….you were appointed in May, 1941, to be His Majesty's Ambassador to the Polish Government in London. Although the initial problems arising out of the transfer of the Polish Government and the Polish military, air and naval forces to this country had been settled when you took over your new post, you were at once confronted with important and delicate developments in Anglo-Polish relations arising out of the attack by Germany on the Soviet Union with which Poland had regarded herself as being in a state of war since September 17th, 1939. Your Excellency was often called upon to assist in removing sources of friction and in encouraging the Polish Government and their compatriots now in exile to do all in their power to promote better relations between Poland and the Soviet Union'. Eden concludes his letter by adding his personal thanks for the help and advice his correspondent has provided him with. To the lower half of the final page appear Dormer's pencil draft notes, signed with his initials, for his letter of reply dated 17th April 1943. A letter of very fine content and good association. A single file hole to the upper left corner of each page and tied with the original blue string. VG Sir Cecil Dormer (1883-1979) British Diplomat who was a member of the Balfour Mission of 1917, intended to promote cooperation between the United Kingdom and the United States during World War I. Later British Minister to Norway 1934-41 and Ambassador to Poland's exile government 1941-43.