One of the observatory’s meteorologists, L H G Dines, has just moved to County Kerry in Ireland to become superintendent of the Valentia Observatory and is succeeded by A H R Goldie.

The Meteorological Office offered its services to the military at the outbreak of war but was told that ‘the army does not go to war with umbrellas’. However, the value of its ability to measure and forecast weather conditions is beginning to be appreciated in relation to gas attacks, aviation activities, high-angle artillery fire and the use of observation balloons.