Historical information

Photograph was taken at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. It is historically significant as it marks a royal visit made by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester during the Duke of Gloucester's term as 11th Governor General of Australia (1945 - 1947). Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, GCB, CI, GCVO, GCStJ, GBE (born Lady Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott; 25 December 1901 – 29 October 2004) was the wife of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, the third son of King George V and Queen Mary.
Frank Oliver was MTS chaplain during this period.
The Gloucesters did not return to Australia on any official visit until 1965. (see ADB entry for Duke of Gloucester)

According to the list of engagements from the Argus, on Saturday the Duke and Duchess left Governor House to visit the Central Institute at 11am where they were received by the Governor and Lady Dugan, the chaplain (Padre Oliver) and members of the committee. They left at 11.15am : the legend of the picture "AS THE DUCHESS LEFT THE MISSION TO SEAMEN Central Institute on Saturday morning, Padre Frank Oliver, chaplain, called for three cheers, which were given heartily."

Significance

This photograph reveals the contemporaneous relationship between Australians and the British Royal family and connection through the International organisation that is the Mission to Seafarers. Current President is HRH the Princess Royal.

Physical description

Black and white photograph of Princess Alice the Duchess of Gloucester. The Duchess at middle left with Chaplain Frank Oliver at middle right. The Chaplain is waving and possibly leading a cheer. He is wearing a naval uniform. The Duchess is wearing a black hat and white short-sleeved dress holding a bunch of flowers. In the left of the photograph is a man holding his right arm up hiding his face from view. In the background there is a crowd of onlookers behind a railing.

Inscriptions & markings

Front: "Duchess of Gloucester 1969" in blue pen in the bottom right corner. (see also notes re this date)

There is also what appears to be a watermark on the middle left side.

Back: "H.R.H. Duchess of Gloucester visiting Missions to Seamen, Melbourne." in the top left corner on an angle.
"Copyright The Argus, Melbourne. Photograph Neg. No. U-646 Ref. No." in purple ink in the middle. The Neg. No. is in pencil.