despatch = report?

Yup. A despatch (sometimes spelled dispatch) is a report meant to be sent on. (Send=dispatch. Get it?)

Thanks

Despatch/ dispatch is one of these words with several meanings.

Check your dictionary.

Treat with caution LA's hints on spelling.

The differences in spelling stem not from two different definitions but from divergent spelling preferences in the UK and the USA, Mc.

Well okay. I refuse to make myself proficient in American spellings.
In this country, the different spellings have different meanings assigned to them, and that was the reason behind my remark. I think it is useful (vital, really) for learners to be aware of these things.

Oh, no argument. In fact, in this specific case, I rather prefer the British spelling (not always the case by a long shot). It makes, as you say, a clear distinction between the two possibly different definitions. I was just making the point that sometimes the differences between British and American useage are not due to differences in meaning but merely spelling preference.