1: Despatches to the King, 1914-1920

Containers:

Box 1

Component identifier:

Series

Content Summary:

Copies of 29 secret despatches and official communications with King from Novar, 1914-1920. Sent at irregular intervals, sometimes monthly, but usually at longer intervals. The despatches appear to be complete; their subject matter duplicates, in less detail, the information given to Novar in items 524-1294 and 1573-2332. The despatches cover Australian political events and conditions in general, the conduct of the War, Australia's economic conditions and policies and the visit of the Prince of Wales to Australia in 1920. Novar's cables to and the cables from the King are concerned with the War in general. the Gallipoli campaign and the Prince of Wales' visit.

Comprises items 1-161.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were received in 1961 from Mr A.B.L. Munro Ferguson and the Trustees of the late Viscount Novar. Thirty photographs copied from the Novar albums in the possession of Mr Munro Ferguson were added to the collection in 1985. Subsequent additions include five illuminated manuscripts purchased from a dealer in 1990 and transcripts of extracts from Novar's diaries donated by Professor John Poynter in 1997. Six volumes of diaries, on long-term loan from Mr Ronald Munro Ferguson (great nephew of Lord Novar), were added to the collection on 12 January 2004. The diaries were kept by Lord Novar while he was Governor General of Australia between 1915 and 1920.

Access and use