Britain declares war against Germany – decoded message to Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Minister of Defence from the Governor-General

Britain has declared war against Germany.

Transcript

[Handwritten annotation in black pen]

14/89/1/9110

Transferred to file

14/89/37/no 142-

[Second handwritten annotation] 14/89/1/11

[Begin typed section]

5th August, 1914.

5th August, 12.30 a.m.

Right

"See preface Defence scheme war has broken

"out with Germany"

[Illegible handwritten signature]

(Copy sent to Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.)

G.G. [handwritten initials]

About this record

Copy of the message sent by the Governor-General to Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Minister of Defence George Pearce at 12.30 am on 5 August 1914. This message would have been sent via an encrypted telegram. The recipients would have had a key that allowed them to decrypt the message. On the same day encrypted telegrams were also sent to each state governor.

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