West Ridge

West Ridge Post Office

A receiving office was established at West Ridge in June 1917, operated by Mrs A C Egglestone, although this information potentially conflicts with information contained on a Federal Capital Commission file and two unique items of postal history which indicate that the Office had previously operated from the Federal Territory Brickworks as a receiving office, from early 1917, and for a very short period in January of that year was officially known by that name on a temporary basis, before being changed in March 1917, to West Ridge. Mrs Egglestone was the Receiving Office Keeper for the entire period. Money order and savings bank facilities were introduced on 1 September 1923. Mr M Johnson was appointed Postmaster on 1 September 1928 and the office was operated from his residence in Hutchins Street until 30 May 1953. It was then relocated to the new shopping centre where it operated until 1 May 1955 when it was moved to the residence of Mrs K M Reed in Hutchins Street.  On 2 March 1953 the office name was changed to Yarralumla (II).

A Type 2C ‘NSW’ date stamp, later altered to ‘FCT’ was utilized at the office.

1924 Type 2C West Ridge NSW cds cancelling 1 1/2d emerald postal stationary (envelope) internally used within Canberra, Federal Territory.

20 February 1928 Type 2C West Ridge FCT cds stamp cancelling 1 ½ d red GV.

8 November 1935 Type 2C West Ridge FCT cds cancelling 2d red GV.

1 April 1940 Type 2C West Ridge ACT cds on censored cover cancelling 1d green and 1’6d Hermes to Denmark from Forestry School Canberra and returned to sender “POSTAL SERVICES SUSPENDED”. Coincided with commencement of second world war. Forestry School located at West Ridge , now Yarralumla.