Item 01: Fred Hamilton-Kenny letter diary, 29 August-19 October 1914 - Page 27
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[Page 27]
Then the Declaration was read - It stated that the Island of New Britain had been captured & was duly annexed to the dominions of his Majesty King George - Evy - white inhabitant had to sign the oath of allegiance - Trade was to go on - Life & property was secured to each & all - Evy - subject was commanded to be peaceful & abstain from warlike acts - The declaration even said that His Majesty might – if he thought fit – retain in office – certain of his new subjects (I heard some growls at this) - The declaration was well read, read in an impressive manner & was listened to with intense interest - A new chapter in history was opened =
Well after all this – stand at ease – was the command & we talked to each other - For once I didn't talk - I was too busy taking mental notes - The few Germans the many Natives – male & female – the green sheoaks round the Square