Increased prices of everyday commodities are generally a concern for consumers no matter the era or circumstance. Soon after the outbreak of the First World War, international events began to impact on prices of goods in Australia for a number of reasons, such as increases in rates for marine insurance and the loss of trade […]
This blog post is part of a series of essays commissioned by Queensland State Archives and written by historian Brian Rough. 4 August 1914. Britain, Australia and other Commonwealth nations declared that they were at war with Germany following its invasion of Belgium the day before. Queensland’s Premier, Digby Denham, was advised of the outbreak of […]
This blog post is part of a series of essays commissioned by Queensland State Archives and written by historian Professor Kay Saunders. In late May 1893 the Australian press enthusiastically covered the local tour of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir-apparent of the Hapsburg Empire.[1] His official visit to King George V in October 1913 was also […]
On 5 August 1914 Digby Denham, the Premier of Queensland, received a telegram from Joseph Cook, Prime Minister of Australia advising that official information had been received that war has broken out with Germany. Mr Denham promptly responded to this news saying: Though we regarded war with Germany as inevitable your telegram informing us the […]
On 23 June 1923 the Queensland War Council passed a resolution that Anzac Cottage funds could be used to provide homes for returned soldiers who were suffering from consumption (T.B./tuberculosis). The Anzac Cottages Committee was a fundraising sub-committee of the Queensland War Council. It aimed to assist homeless widows and descendants of deceased men who […]
This blog post is part of a series of essays commissioned by Queensland State Archives and written by historian Dr Judith McKay. The number of men enlisting for active service at the outbreak of the First World War was high. However, by late 1915, as casualties rose and enlistments fell, the AIF faced a shortage of […]
Records in the QSA collection can provide insights into the post-war life of former soldiers. One we have found is about Private John Leak VC as a soldier settler. Private Leak earned his Victoria Cross at the battle of Pozieres in the Somme Valley in July 1916. After being discharged from the Australian Imperial Forces […]
We are continuing to add digitised content to our catalogue relating to the First World War for you to explore. The three items highlighted in this post show the importance of food and supplies to the war effort, not just the men. The following three telegrams are now available 1. Telegram from the Agent-General London requesting […]
This blog post is part of a series of essays commissioned by Queensland State Archives and written by historian Brian Rough. It would not be unreasonable to imagine that, as Australian soldiers marched off to war, they left behind them a home front which was politically homogeneous and uniformly resolute in its support of the troops […]
We recently held a workshop to assist researchers in locating information about First World War soldiers. If you want to get started on your research we’ve put together these helpful resource suggestions highlighted in the seminar. 1. Military records Senior reference archivist Saadia Thomson-Dwyer used a case study approach to illustrate war service information that […]