The collection can mostly be divided into two groups of official papers. The larger group GRO/1-21 consists of files relating to Baillie-Grohman's role in the Naval Mission to China, 1931 to 1933. The second group GRO/22-31 has files relating to his role in Combined Operations in 1942, in particular preparations for the Dieppe Raid. In addition, there are some personal letters, a typescript autobiography in three volumes, and some photographs.

Administrative / biographical background
Baillie-Grohman joined the Navy in 1903, becoming a lieutenant in 1909. He served in the Mediterranean and on the China station, and during the First World War on the east coast, in the Dover Patrol and in minesweepers. In 1922 and 1923 he served in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, and was made commander in the latter year. He then became senior officer of the First Minesweeping Flotilla, 1923 to 1924. He was promoted to captain in 1930 and between 1931 and 1933 was senior officer of the British Naval Mission to China. He then served in the Mediterranean, commanded a training establishment and at the beginning of the Second World War was again in the Mediterranean. He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1941 and in the same year was attached to the staff of the General Officer Commanding, Middle East. In 1942 he was nominated as Naval Force Commander for the Dieppe Raid, but, although he took part in the planning of the raid, he did not command it. Afterwards he became flag officer at Harwich, and in 1943 was promoted to vice-admiral, retiring in 1946.