Illuminated address presented by the citizens of Bathurst to Lord Kitchener, 10 January 1910 by John Sands

A 4958

fonds

10 January 1910

1122641

0.4 metres of textual material (1 volume)

A bill providing for compulsory military training in peace time (referred to as universal training) was introduced to Parliament by Prime Minister Alfred Deakin in 1909. It was a measure with broad parliamentary support, having been adopted by the Opposition Labor Party at its 1908 conference. At the invitation of Deakin, Field Marshal Viscount Kitchener of Great Britain visited Australia in 1909 to inspect the existing state of defence preparedness of the young Commonwealth, and advise on the best means of providing Australia with a land defence. Kitchener’s report, submitted in February 1910, recommended the introduction of compulsory military training. A public version of Kitchener’s report was published as 'Defence of Australia: Memorandum’ in Commonwealth Parliamentary Papers – General (Session 1910, Volume II, pp. 83–104).
(Source: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs160.aspx)


Lord Kitchener visited Bathurst, New South Wales on Monday 10th January 1910. A report of his visit is recorded in the Molong Argus. He unveiled a memorial to the fallen soldiers of Bathurst in the Boer War
(Source: 1910 'Lord Kitchener at Bathurst.', Molong Argus (NSW : 1896 - 1921), 14 January, p. 6, viewed 1 April, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100999622)

Three-folded, leather bound illuminated address.

Inscription:

"To Field-Marshall Viscount Kitchener, Khartoum. O.M., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., K.C.I.E.
My Lord. We citizens of Bathurst, hereby tender to you our respectful greeting and hearty welcome on this auspicious occasion of your coming among us.

We are deeply sensible of your kindness and courtesy in responding to our invitation in the midst of your arduous duties and high imperial responsibilities, and thank you for the distinction conferred upon our City. Henceforth your name and fame will be even still better known to us and treasured by us than heretofore. That your present exalted mission may tend to promote and secure the safety honour and welfare of our Sovereign Lord King Edward, and his dominions, is the earnest prayer of. A.B. James, Deputy Mayor, 10th January 1910".

Illuminated with images of Bathurst and Australian flowers.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information transferred from Manuscripts Index Catalogue as part of the eRecords Project, 2013-2014