The Australian Government started issuing passports in 1901, following the federation of the colonies. Australia’s first federal passport regulations were not introduced until September 3rd, 1912. And it was another three years before the Australian Government introduced a mandatory passport system for the first time, mainly for workforce and security reasons.

The following NEW SOUTH WALES PASSPORT was issued on February 18th, 1913, to SYDNEY RICHARD CORTEHILL, accompanied by his daughters DORIS MARY and EDNA RAHEL, signed by the Governor, Lord Chelmsford.

On the back, there are two visas. One was issued by the British ambassador in Paris on September 12th, 1913, for Belgium. Signed by the British Vice-Consul and with a two Shilling Consular service revenue stamp.

The second visa was sent by the British consulate in Amsterdam on September 22nd, 1913, and was valid for the German Empire. Signed by the British vice-consul and with a Two Shilling Consular service stamp. The visa was issued in German!

The passport was issued and signed by the governor, the bearer, and the undersecretary and had a small blind stamp. The document size is approximately 14″ x 17″.

Governor Frederic Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford

GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, GBE, PC (12 August 1868 – 1 April 1933), known as the Lord Chelmsford until 1921, was a prominent British statesman. He held the position of Governor of Queensland from 1905 to 1909, Governor of New South Wales from 1909 to 1913, and Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921, where he played a key role in the creation of the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms. Following a brief tenure as First Lord of the Admiralty in Ramsay MacDonald’s government, he was appointed Agent-General for New South Wales by Jack Lang’s administration before retiring.

Governor of New South Wales

In May 1909, Chelmsford accepted the appointment as Governor of New South Wales and was sworn in at Government House on 28 May 1909. Unlike his tenure in Queensland, his term in New South Wales was relatively stable and marked by good relations with the state government. At the beginning of his term, Charles Wade of the Liberal Reform Party was the Premier.

Following the 1910 election, Wade’s Liberals were defeated, and the Labor Party, led by James McGowen, formed the state’s first Labor Government. Despite his conservative background, Chelmsford managed to work well with the Labor Government. He developed a friendship with Attorney General William Holman, sharing a mutual love of music. As a skilled viola player, Chelmsford encouraged chamber concerts at Government House. He praised the government, saying, “I have never had a body of Ministers with whom it has been a greater pleasure to work. They are quiet, unassuming and industrious, and have won the goodwill and loyalty of their departments.”

From 21 December 1909 to 27 January 1910, Chelmsford served as Administrator of the Commonwealth during the Governor-General of Australia, The Earl of Dudley’s leave.

From April to November 1911, Chelmsford was on overseas leave in England, which allowed him to avoid a significant political crisis in New South Wales.

In October 1912, Chelmsford announced his decision not to seek another term as governor. The Colonial Office reluctantly accepted his decision, describing him as “careful, hardworking, and popular.”

A Freemason, Chelmsford was elected Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of NSW in 1910 and held the position until 1913. In 1909, Freemason Lodge Chelmsford 261 was established in New South Wales in his honor. In 1912, he was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George and served as Chancellor of the Order from 1914 to 1916. Chelmsford’s term expired, and he returned to England in March 1913.

 

Governor-General Thomas Denman

at that time was Thomas Denman, 3rd Baron Denman, GCMG, KCVO, PC (November 16th, 1874 – June 24th, 1954), a British aristocrat and politician. They served as the fifth Governor-General of Australia, in office from 1911 to 1914.

The London Gazette from April 7th, 1911, reported. The KING has been pleased to appoint the Right Honorable Lord Denman as Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Denman was born into the English nobility, inheriting his title at the age of 19 from a great uncle. He attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and served in the Second Boer War. He sat with the Liberal Party in the House of Lords and was made a Lord-in-waiting in 1905 and Chief Whip in 1907. Later appointed to the governor-generalship at 36 and remained the youngest person to hold the position.

The Denman Glacier in eastern Antarctica was named after Denman by Sir Douglas Mawson. It was discovered by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911–14.

 

A fantastic early and rare Australian passport in excellent condition. An enrichment for any passport collector.

 

ℹ️ Passport History, Collectibles and Travel History explained by Expert, Author & Collector Tom Topol. ➡️ Ask me anything!
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