The collection comprises:
- Correspondence, November 1939-January 1943 (BGL 1-3).
- Printed papers, August 1939-January 1943 (BGL 4).
- Typescript notes and reports, undated (BGL 5).
- Printed items, 1940-1941 (BGL 6).
- Manuscript notes, undated (BGL 7).
- Newspaper cuttings, undated-1941 (c) (BGL 8).
The papers in this collection were accumulated by Mr J.G. McMeeking. Nothing definite has beenascertained about Mr McMeeking or his role in the company but he was probably managing director atthe time and represented the company on a number of trade bodies, many of which are representedamongst these papers.
The collection comprises correspondence and printed circulars concerning the reorganisation ofthe lace industry in Nottingham during the second world war. These items were received or generatedby representatives of A.C. Gill Ltd and correspondents are predominantly regional lace tradeassociations, the Lace Export Group, and Nottingham Chamber of Commerce. The collection does notcontain the operational business records of A.C. Gill Ltd but provides valuable information into therestructuring of the industry during the second world war. The records focus on attempts toconcentrate lace production in order to improve efficiency and touch on other contemporary issuessuch as labour shortages, employment of women and the marketing of British lace overseas.