History of the Old War Office building - Introduction

With the long-overdue modernisation of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Main Building, Defence Ministers and other members of the Defence Council - the Department's senior committee - have moved temporarily to the Old War Office. To mark the occasion I have asked for this short booklet, describing the history of the Old War Office Building, to be published. The booklet also includes a brief history of the site on which the building now stands, and of other historic MOD headquarters buildings in Central London.

People know about the work that our Armed Forces do around the world as a force for good. Less well known is the work that we do to preserve our heritage and to look after the historic buildings that we occupy. I hope that this publication will help to raise awareness of that.

The Old War Office Building has had a fascinating past, as you will see. People working within its walls played a key role in two World Wars and in the Cold War that followed. The building is full of history. Lawrence of Arabia once worked here. I am now occupying the office which Churchill, Lloyd-George and Profumo once had.

I hope that you will find this publication, and the insight it gives into the building and the work done there - both past and present - an interesting read. (Links on right hand-side)

Geoffery Hoon