Papers of David Lloyd Francis

Papers, 1933-1989, of David Lloyd Francis, comprising his diaries (1943, 1947-8) and correspondence concerning his work with the Melanesian Mission, the effects of the War on the Mission's work and his own work during this period. Later correspondence with the BBC is also included.

David Lloyd Francis was born in England but emigrated to New Zealand with his family in about 1920. He and his wife worked with the Melanesian Mission for sixteen years in the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands and Santa Cruz Islands, including six months on the Island of New Britain in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea. He was ordained in May 1937. During the Second World War he worked as a medical missionary/chaplain for the Allied armed forces in a military camp in the Solomon Islands. After the War, Francis toured New Zealand with an exhibition of 'Melanesian Curios', which he brought to Britain in 1947. He settled again in Britain, doing occasional work for the BBC. He died in the early 1990s.

The materials have been arranged in two main sections: diaries, and correspondence and papers. Items have been arranged chronologically within these sections.

Open

Donated in 1993.

Unpublished handlist.

For permission to publish, please contact Archives & Special Collections, SOAS Library in the first instance

The School of Oriental and African Studies also holds the records of the Melanesian Mission (Ref: MEL M).