Silly Question

[sammi1973]

but, when were passports first issued? I am wondering if soliders needed to have one for WW1? Thanks

[subee]

1414 A reference is made to ‘Safe Conducts’ (the earliest passports) in an Act of Parliament during the reign of King Henry V. 

1540 The Privy Council Register begins, leaving us a record of Privy Council business. According to the Register, this includes granting passports.

1641 A passport from this date still exists. It was issued on 18 June and signed by King Charles I.


this is the earliest I can find- but I'm sure others can do better.......


subee x

[casalguidi]

Hi Sammi

I don't know if it will help to read through the National Archives research leaflet for passport records

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=109

Casalguidi

[CatOne]

http://www.passport.gov.uk/general_history_modern.asp

Regards
Catherine 

[sammi1973]

 
was a silly question then!!
thanks

[casalguidi]

No it wasn't because it makes us look for things that we sometimes know little about so we all learn something new

Casalguidi

[sammi1973]

well thank you very much, i read the site and i want to order the passport or at least see it if i can as it says there is a photo.

[Gadget]

I'd like to say thank you for asking. I didn't know about all this and found it really interesting.

Some of my ancestors did travel to Canada and the USA in the early 19th century, so it might be worth my while following it up.

Thanks again for asking and thanks to subee, Casalguidi and Catherine for providing references 

Gadget

[Bee]

Those leaflets don't really answer the original question though.

It would have been a mammoth job to issue passports for all the thousands of soldiers that left these shores.

Hubby joined the RAF in the 1960's and when posted to Germany he didn't have a passport, he travelled on what was called a NATO pass.

Bee