AWM252 is an artificial series containing files of original, carbon copy and printed material arranged by subject according to a subject classification scheme devised by the AWM Library.  The series contains files of correspondence, notes, reports, extracts from war diaries, printed booklets and leaflets.  The series includes a few early Department of Defence Central Administration registered files and Australian War Records Section classification sub-section files.  The contents mainly relate to 1914-18 War operational and administrative activities.
 
These files have been removed from the series AWM27, `Records arranged according to the AWM Library classification system' and registered as a separate series.  A note found at the beginning of the run indicates the files were to be classified and catalogued into the "classified files, War of 1914-18".  Some of the items have notes pinned to the front cover indicating the subject category of the particular file.  Most of these correlate with subject categories found in the AWM Library classification system.  This arrangement appears to have been done with the intention of completely processing the files into AWM27's decimal classification numbering system, however the work was never completed.  In July 1993, the decision was made to register the items as a separate series because no decimal classification numbers had actually been allocated, and the work to fully process the material through the classification system could not be justified.
 
The files were originally stored in a metal filing cabinet, separate from the main AWM27 run.  In 1981 they were removed from the cabinet, boxed and listed as part of an access examination project.  In 1987 the files were sorted into arrangement according to the various subject categories allocated to each item.  The alpha-numeric sequence [A1]-[A259] was imposed on each file cover at this time to provide item level control.  A brief subject index to items has been prepared to assist researchers in using the series.
Quantity in agency custody
1.19 metres held by CA 616, Australian War Memorial