Recently, I made an effort to collect local philatelic items such as First Day Covers and Stamps that celebrate the 150th anniversary of Newcastle, in New South Wales, Australia. These stamps are important as they are the first philatelic items directly associated with Newcastle in Australian postal history. Another postage stamp featuring Newcastle is one presented in a minisheet showcasing Newcastle's ANZAC Memorial Walk.
Within this first post of the series, you will find images of the first of three postage stamps commemorating the 150th anniversary of Newcastle. The initial stamp showcases a 2 1/2d value postage stamp, portraying Lieutenant John Shortland R. N. However, it is worth noting that the illustration, purportedly depicting John Shortland, was actually based on the Lieutenant's father's likeness (a). As a result, the image does not accurately represent Lieutenant John Shortland.
Lieutenant John Shortland, a distinguished officer of the Royal Navy, was born on the 5th of September 1769 and passed away on the 21st of January 1810 in Guadeloupe. His naval career saw him ascend through the ranks, beginning as a midshipman under the guidance of his father, John Shortland, during a voyage to Quebec, Canada. Subsequently, he served in the West Indies from 1783 to 1787. Notably, he assumed the role of Master's Mate on HMS Sirius during the First Fleet's journey to Australia (then known as New Holland) in 1787, a vessel later commemorated on an Australian postage stamp. Lieutenant Shortland dedicated five years to Australia and Norfolk Island, facing the shipwreck of HMS Sirius in 1790, before returning to England in 1792. His commitment to service led him back to Australia in 1794, this time accompanying the new governor, John Hunter, as First Lieutenant.
Lieutenant John Shortland R.N. is commemorated on a stamp celebrating the 150th anniversary of Newcastle due to his significant historical contribution. In 1797, while in pursuit of runaway convicts, he stumbled upon the area that would later become Newcastle. His journey to Port Stephens led him to the estuary of the Hunter River, a location he named. Initially known as the Coal River for its abundant coal reserves, Shortland meticulously mapped the harbour and collected coal samples during his exploration. Recognizing the potential of the region, he expressed in a letter to his father that it would be a valuable addition to the settlement, a prophecy that indeed came to fruition. The naming of the suburb of Shortland and the electorate of Shortland stands as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
His progression in the military ranks persisted, culminating in his appointment as Master and Commander in 1800 and subsequently as Post Captain in 1805. On December 13, 1809, during an encounter with two French Gunships, he sustained severe injuries and was taken captive by the French forces. He was transported to Guadeloupe, where he received medical treatment but unfortunately succumbed to his wounds on January 21, 1810. His final resting place is in Guadeloupe.
Within the second instalment of this series, we shall examine the 3 1/2d postage stamp shown below. This stamp is the second in a series of three, each commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Newcastle in 1947.
(a.) For more information see the Sydney Morning Herald Post from 1947 hosted at Trove - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18046519
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