The Link
The Link was founded by Admiral Barry Domvile, a former Director of Naval Intelligence, in July 1937. In his autobiography Domvile explained that he established the organisation "to foster the mutual knowledge and understanding between the British and German peoples, and to counteract the flood of lies with which our people were being regaled in their daily papers."
The organization attracted anti-Semitic people and pro-Nazi extremists. The membership of The Link grew from 1,800 in March 1938 to 4,300 in June 1939. Members included Lord Redesdale, Archibald Ramsay, Major-General John Fuller, Molly Hiscox, Lord Sempill, Lambert Ward, Richard Findlay, H. T. Mills, C. E. Carroll, A. P. Laurie, Raymond Beazley and Hubert Maddocks. The Link also published the journal The Anglo-German Review.
The Link closed down soon after the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. Several members of the organization, including Barry Domvile and Archibald Ramsay, were arrested after the passing of Defence Regulation 18B in May 1940. This legislation gave the Home Secretary the right to imprison without trial anybody he believed likely to "endanger the safety of the realm".
Primary Sources
(1) Admiral Barry Domvile, From Admiral to Cabin Boy (1947)
I and several friends who held similar views felt that an urgent need existed for the establishment of an Association to foster the mutual knowledge and understanding between the British and German peoples, and to counteract the flood of lies with which our people were being regaled in their daily papers. There was in existence already an Anglo-German Fellowship, of which I was a member of the Council. I was never very happy about this Association, which catered mainly for the well-to-do, and was largely supported by big business firms, interested in clearing the ground for an extension of commercial relations. Membership of the 'Link' was open to all.
(2) A reporter from the Daily Express asked Ernest Carroll if The Link was still functioning (6th September, 1939)
"You put me in a very awkward position", he said, "I don't want to say anything about it. We had decided to close down. But it seems that we might be of national use, by a slight alteration."
"Wouldn't it have to be rather a considerable alteration?", I said.
"I don't want to disclose what it is now", he said. "It might spoil the effect. But if we could build a bridge to the German people..."
(3) Admiral Barry Domvile, quoted in the Daily Telegraph (7th September, 1939)
The Link is closed down and the organisation dissolved. Naturally, we closed down on the declaration of war. That was essential. The King's enemies became our enemies. We had done our best for better Anglo-German relations, and with the outbreak of hostilities there was no more to be done. All the branches are closed.