Fremantle Mail Journals: Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands): Bruce Haynes
A Fremantle Inward Journal 1947/1983 and 3 Outward Journals 1979/1991 were offered for sale at Perth 2023 National Exhibition. The information relating to Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands shipping movements was extracted and presented here. While these records are not complete, they provide previously unknown information on the seasonal movement of mail to and from these islands through Western Australian ports (mainly Fremantle) and via Singapore and Indonesia. Limited shipping connections with Singapore and Indonesia were the only alternative to Fremantle. Southbound mail steamers from Colombo 1950-52 provided Cocos Island cask mail as a tourist attraction and philatelic focus. Cocos had airmail from 1952, Christmas did not have airmail until 1974, but air service was variable so seamail was of vital importance.
Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Outward Mail
Christmas Island mail received at Frementle 1947 – 1983
