FORCES POSTAL HISTORY SOCIETY JOURNAL …...Forces Postal History Society Journal No 299 Spring 2014 138 Contents Baltic Fleet Mail 1854: Colin Tabeart 137, 143-49 Review: KUK Feldpost

FORCES POSTAL HISTORY SOCIETY

JOURNAL

Whole Number 299

Spring 2014 Vol XXX No 5

ISSN 1752-0975

© Forces Postal History Society and Authors

A Baltic Fleet Letter of 1854. See pages 143-9

Forces Postal History Society Journal No 299 Spring 2014

138

Contents Baltic Fleet Mail 1854: Colin Tabeart 137, 143-49 Review: KUK Feldpost Mail 1914-1918 138 Buying WW1 Postal History for the wrong reasons: Frank Schofield 139 Lt-Col Frederick Rainsford-Hannay. John Buchan’s Hero?: Andrew Brooks 140-41 Review: Combat & Special Operations of US MTBs 142 Review: Postal History of French Forces in Tunisia 1900-1920 143 Indian Peacekeeping Force in Sri Lanka 1987-1990: Marc Parren 149-156 BFPO Address Update: Michael Dobbs 157-59 Captain Alan McLean – Censorship Officer: Andrew Brooks & Ann Fox 160-62 Feedback: Messrs Muchall & Dobbs 162 POW Camps for Italians & Germans, Part Two: Peter Burrows 163-172

Editorial

Despite numerous pleas I still receive illustrations as pdf (Adobe) files, which I cannot use. Please send all illustrations as separate jpegs, scanned at 300 dots per inch, with wide margins around so I can straighten if necessary. Similarly I am sometimes sent very poor quality photocopies, cut to shape, and usually folded to fit skimpy little envelopes. They will not reproduce to any reasonable standard and go straight back to authors, wasting my time and postage. If you cannot produce a jpeg, or cannot afford a decent sized envelope, or get a decent high-quality colour copy done on a good quality high street photocopier, please send me the original so that the reproduction in the Journal is the best possible quality.

The Summer edition will have to be prepared ready for the printers in mid March for personal reasons, so if you have any feedback or other comments please let me have them as soon as you receive your copy of this edition, otherwise it will not go in the Summer Journal.

Editor’s Contact details: Colin Tabeart, 238 Hunts Pond Road, Fareham. PO14 4PG.

[email protected]

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K.u.K. Feldpost Mail 1914-1918 In two volumes 1008 pages. By Octavian Tabacaru. Published Brasov 2013.

Printed on A5. Soft Back Covers.

For the collectors of Austrian/Hungarian Feldpost cards. One thousand and eight pages in Rumanian and English. Deals with the all the know types of "Headings" and "Printing variations" of the various card types. Fully illustrated in colour throughout. Has a "Catalogue" and "Points" numbering system to aid the collector. Another great work that has taken many years to compile which will complement works by the other Authors on various aspects of the Austro Hungarian Forces in WW1.

Cost: £70 or 80 Euros. Delivery: Parcel post surface - £4 or 5 Euros. Parcel post Airmail-£20 or 24 Euros. Registered Airmail - £15 or 18 Euros. Transfer fee if paying by "PayPal"-£3 or 4 Euros.

Copies can be obtained direct from the Author at [email protected].


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Buying WW1 Postal History for the wrong reason! Frank Schofield

How many times have you bought an item for one reason and it turns out to be

something quite different? At a recent Friday Strand stamp & postal history fair, I was going through a dealer’s box, when I came across a slightly scruffy Italian postcard, cancelled by a large Army Post Office S 101 skeleton mark, (used at the main British Army Base at Arquata) I have many copies of this postmark and nearly rejected it, but then I noticed the type CM6 censor had a very low number, I checked my records and realized I did not have the number so added the card to my growing pile of purchases.

The following Sunday I was updating my records and was not sure of the number; was it 168 or 188? So out came the glass, and spotted that the APO S 101 postmark had been applied over a faintish double ring cancel. Much to my surprise the faintish APO cancel turned out to be a first day strike of the scarce Army Post Office L 1(T), 8th December 1917. This temporary datestamp was brought in for some unknown reason for three days only, the 8th, 9th and 10th December 1917. On the 11th of December a very distinctive double ring, Army Post Office S101 came into use (I have it on a postcard postmarked on the 11th). Another plus was the skeleton APO S101 used to over stamp the APO L 1(T) was dated the following day, 9th December 1917, this extended my recorded use of this datestamp a further three days. So even nearly 100 years old, the reason for the attempted over stamp will never be known, possibly a postal clerk spotted the new datestamp and tried to cover it with the old one. Army Post Office S101 again reverted to Army Post Office L.1 in June 1918.


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Lt-Col Frederick Rainsford-Hannay. John Buchan’s Hero?

Andrew Brooks

In preparing an article on a German soldier in WW1 I found that during the course of his active service twenty-seven military postmarks were used on his mail – all different (minor varieties were ignored). Wondering if a similar number could be achieved by a British soldier a search through my collection eventually found someone with twenty-eight! Research into the individual concerned revealed an interesting link to John Buchan the author.

Lt-Col Frederick Rainsford-Hannay was born on the 28 April 1878 and married Dorothea Letitia May Maxwell the daughter of Sir William Francis Maxwell of Cardoness on 16

August 1910. He had already fought in the Second Boer War (wounded and mentioned in despatches) before joining the 24th Division, a Kitchener Division, as a Brigade Artillery Major when war was declared in 1914. During WW1 he was mentioned in despatches twice, awarded the DSO and was again wounded.

John Buchan had a keen and knowledgeable interest in heraldry from an early age and during the many times he attended church with his grandparents at Broughton in Peeblesshire he would have noticed the stained glass window with the distinctive Hannay crest. Years later when visiting a friend in Ardwall in Galloway he would have met, or heard about, the Second Boer War exploits of Frederick Rainsford-Hannay who was a close neighbour. Many localities in Buchan’s books have been identified in this area. It must be said that the character of Richard Hannay in the books may only be partly connected to the subject of this article as JB in his autobiography suggested that in part the character is based on Edmund Ironside who was a spy in the Second Boer War. In this small collection of seventy covers sent to Rainsford-Hannay’s wife approximately half are addressed or re-addressed to her c/o of Sir William Maxwell Bart of Cardoness, Gatehouse. The remainder were sent to various addresses in Edinburgh. Listed below are the twenty-eight different APO/FPOs in order of their first appearance on his mail. Some occur a few times and some only once;

APO/FPO Date APO/FPO Date FPO T24 4/9/15 FPO T29 28/9/16 FPO D17 9/10/15 FPO 5 23/10/16 FPO D24 27/10/15 FPO T14 1/11/16 FPO 72 31/12/15 FPO D14 11/11/16 APO R19 7/3/16 FPO 51 12/12/16 APO 2 18/3/16 FPO D29 16/2/17 APO 2(Krag) 30/3/16 FPO T1 16/2/17 FPO T19 5/4/16 FPO D40 25/3/17 FPO 57 8/6/16 FPO TZ 5/5/17 FPO H10 23/6/16 FPO TW2 25/5/17 FPO D4 28/6/16 APO S43 30/6/17 FPO T4 22/8/16 FPO T32 10/7/17 FPO 10 15/9/16 FPO H8 8/7/18 FPO 43 27/9/16 FPO H19 23/7/18

Major F Rainsford–Hannay was present at the Battle of Loos in September 1915 with

24th Division and after a period in the 8th General Hospital (March 1916) he joined 19th Division as a Lt-Col in charge of 89th Brigade RFA. He fought at the Battle of the Somme (La Boisselle) with a short respite for the division on the Ypres Salient before returning to the Somme (Ancre) late in 1916. His movements in late 1917 and 1918 seem to be determined by being attached to Corps troops (his service records, if available, have not been examined). In 1980 his son


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relinquished the name Rainsford in order to be recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon as Chief of the Clan Hannay. He became Ramsey Hannay of Kirkdale and that ilk and took his place at the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.

I would be interested to hear if any other FPHS members can extend my ‘score’ of different postmarks for one individual (in any war). I have only included active service and not postmarks sent whilst training in the UK.

Some examples from the collection.


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Combat and Special Operations of United States Motor Torpedo Boats during World War Two

Review by Alan Warren

Two volumes, by Norman Gruenzner. 254 pages (vol. 1) and 280 pages (vol. 2), 8 ½ by 11 inches, card covers, perfect bound, Military Postal History Society, Cypress, Tex., 2013. ISBN 0-9770649-9-9, $85 post-paid to U.S. and Canada, $95 elsewhere. Order from MPHS, PO Box 32,

Cypress TX 77410-0032 or from website www.militaryPHS.org.

This extraordinary compendium of Patrol Torpedo boats (PT boats or Motor Torpedo Boats – MTB) and their day-by-day operations during World War II is a labour of love by author Gruenzner over many, many years. Its progenitor was a 52-page work by Robert T. Murphy, World War II PT Bases, Squadrons and Boats published by the Military Postal History Society in 1992. Gruenzner edited Murphy’s book and shortly after publication he realized there was much more to the story of these fast wooden boats and the Navy men who operated them.

As Gruenzner began to uncover additional sources he realized that the story was not only historically important but also that the men and their missions played key roles in the progress of naval encounters around the globe, and especially in the Pacific Theatre. His book begins with a glossary of terms and abbreviations used in the text. The introduction provides statistics on the number of squadrons and the number of PT boats at the beginning and the end of the war, and the number lost due to all causes. The bulk of the text begins with a chronological listing, by date, of key agreements and acts of war in the late 1930s that led to the U.S. declarations of war and committing its naval forces. Detailed entries become more numerous in 1940 and 1941 with specific details on building and launching the PT boats, their operations and movements, and the personnel assigned to them. The latter are named with their ranks and some details of their commands, their fate, and their honours.

To organize the chronology Gruenzner divides a given month’s actions into geographical areas. For example July 1943 has subheadings for South Pacific Command, Southwest Pacific Command, Mediterranean 8th Fleet, with the bulk of the entries grouped under US/Territories. Even the rerouting of mail is noted as naval operations often changed rapidly. Mail was an important morale booster and many covers are shown in colour throughout the book. In addition to covers there are wonderful photos and maps. Volume One ends with May 1944. A bibliography concludes this volume as well as Volume Two. The second book continues with June 1944 and goes through August 1946. During the last months of record, much of the mail was marked “Return to Sender” as PT bases and boats were shut down. The extensive bibliography reveals how many resources Gruenzner and his helpers consulted to put this detailed story together. These tools went beyond the normal printed books to such personal records as diaries, correspondence, manuscripts, interviews, medical records, and classified award documents. Presidential libraries, historical societies, librarians and archivists around the country, and, most importantly, the National Archives and Records Administration facility at College Park, Md., provided the raw material. One important tool that would benefit researchers would have been an index of personal names and a numerical listing of PT Squadrons and PT Boats. However, such an undertaking would be a major task in itself. Gruenzner is to be commended for his many years’ devotion of time and effort to achieve this study, and the Military Postal History Society for making it available to researchers and historians.


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Postal History of French Forces in Tunisia 1900-1920 & the South Tunisian Campaign 1915-17.

David Trapnell

Review by Colin Tabeart

40 pp full colour monograph. Published by the France & Colonies Philatelic Society of Great Britain, 2013. Available from R Broadhurst, FCPS Publications, PO BOX 448, TEDDINGTON

TW11 1AZ, £12 + £1.25 P&P

Members will already be aware of the breadth of research and clarity of presentation of our member, David Trapnell, through previous monographs published by our Society. His latest offering, published by our sister organisation, is yet another fine exposition of a small, and to many of us practically unknown, aspect of forces postal history. David’s latest venture covers the bases at Bizerte & Tunis, plus military bases further south, the campaign indicated in the title, military aviation services, censorship, and a number of other topics. Published in full colour throughout on good quality paper, the clarity of the illustrations gives much credit to the author, editor, and printer. Two excellent maps and some fine topographical scenes are accompanied by numerous covers, the quality both of reproduction and of the markings themselves would be hard to beat. If you collect French military mail of WW1, or would like to find out more about this unusual area, grab a copy before it is sold out. Better still grab some material before prices rocket after this publication becomes common currency. Highly recommended.

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The 1854 Baltic Fleet Colin Tabeart

The events leading up to what is now generally called the Crimean War are concisely

described by Greenhill & Giffard in their excellent book at Reference 1, a lead-in which need not be repeated here. In essence Britain and France declared war on Russia on 27 and 28 March 1854 respectively, in support of their ally, Turkey. The same authors also point out that the war should properly have been described as “The War against Russia” since it was fought on four fronts, and that it was naval strategy rather than the heroics and blunders of the respective armies that brought it to a conclusion.

The essence of the naval strategy was to destroy the Russian naval base at Sebastopol in the Black Sea, then concentrate naval force in the Baltic once the ice had broken up, to bring pressure to bear on the Russian dominated coast of Finland, and ultimately to threaten the capital, St Petersburg. It was this latter threat, made strongly credible by the fleet of some 240 ships of the line, frigates, armoured floating batteries etc, all steam-propelled, that assembled in 1856 ready to attack the great fortress of Kronstadt, then bombard St Petersburg, that finally brought Russia to the negotiating table. The third front was minor by comparison, consisting primarily of skirmishes off the Russian coastline in the Pacific, which need not concern us here. The fourth front was opened up by British warships early in 1854 to attack Russian positions in the White Sea. Different postal charges and arrangements were made for this Squadron. I have never seen a cover to or from this front, and again will not pursue it here.

The 1854 Baltic Fleet, a combined British & French affair under the overall command of Vice Admiral Sir Charles Napier, comprised the following force:


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Fig 1. The 1854 Fleet according to Clowes. See ref 2 p 419.

Fig 2. Leaving Spithead. (Illustrated London News 18 Mar 1854)

Part of the British fleet left Spithead as early as 11 March 1854, (see Fig 2) having been reviewed by Queen Victoria, joined later by the remaining vessels, and the French contingent somewhat later. Although designated as “screw” in the order of battle above these British capital ships were primarily sailing ships with auxiliary steam propulsion. It is noticeable that the French contingent had only one major war vessel with any form of steam propulsion, namely the Austerlitz, a deficiency that seriously hampered the manoeuvrability of the combined fleet.


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Fig 3. The first elements of the fleet initially assembled in Wingo Sound on 19 March (Illustrated

London News 18 Mar 1854)

The sole achievement of all of this force during the 1854 campaign was the capture and destruction of the fortress of Bomarsund on the Russian-held island of Aland (see map.) The British public, accustomed to the all-conquering habits of their Royal Navy, were unimpressed. On return to Portsmouth in December 1854 Napier was unceremoniously sacked by Sir James Graham, the authoritarian First Lord of the Admiralty. The fleets for 1855 and 1856 were to be in different hands, but that is another story.

Fig 4. Scene of operations. (Clowes p 415). Note Reval, almost dead centre, where Prince Regent was on 1 August when the letter discussed later was written. Bomarsund was a fort on Aland

Island, northeast of Stockholm.


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Postal Arrangements 1854 Initial arrangements were somewhat ad hoc, as announced in the President’s Order Book

of the London Sorting Office1 dated 18 March 1854, shortly after the early elements of the fleet had sailed: “The letters in the office addressed to the Fleet in the Baltic are to be made up in a bag addressed “British Admiral Baltic” and sent down to Portsmouth this evening for conveyance by HMS Boscawen (or Desperate) tomorrow. The letters to or from seamen on board that Fleet will be subject to the usual rates and regulations but letters to or from officers (when conveyed direct) will be subject to a rate of 1/8d not exceeding ½ oz and so on. As the letters must be prepaid those addressed to the Fleet which may be posted unpaid must be sent to the Dead Letter Office. As regards letters for the Baltic Fleet posted after this day they must be kept in the office, until notice is received from the Admiralty of the sailing of any vessel for that place.” Note the very high rate of postage for officers, which had to be prepaid. This was very quickly reduced to 6d, announced on 22 March 1854.

The same source, dated 20 March 1854: “HMS Lightning will leave Woolwich for Wingo Sound as soon as the weather permits. All letters &c for the Fleet in the Baltic at present in the office must be made up as directed on the 18th instant and sent to Woolwich this evening for transmission by that vessel and until notice has been received of her having sailed.”

The President’s Order Book for 29 March 1854: “HMS Hecla will sail from Deal tomorrow and all letters &c for the Fleet in the Baltic at present in the office must be made up in the usual manner and sent to Deal this evening. HMS Desperate will also sail from Portsmouth for the Baltic on Saturday next. The correspondence for the Fleet after this day will therefore be sent to Portsmouth as previously ordered.”

On 30 March the same source stated: “In the event of any …. arrivals of letters from the Baltic Fleet via Hamburg they must be charged with the same rates of postage with which they would be liable if brought to this country by one of HM vessels of War, viz. officers’ letters 6d not exceeding ½ oz, and seamen’s letters unless prepaid, 2d each.” Similar instructions were given for any letters arriving via Prussia.

On 6 April: “HMS Cumberland will sail from Deal for the Baltic on Monday next [the 10th] and letters for the Fleet in that sea must therefore be sent to Deal tonight and on Monday morning[s]. The postmaster of Portsmouth has had instructions to return to this office by this night mail all letters and papers for the Baltic now lying in his office, which are to be forwarded to Deal tomorrow night.”

Further such instructions as to making up mails for the Baltic Fleet were recorded in the President’s Order Book as follows:

Date of President’s Order Book

Mail bags to be sent

to

Name of HM Ship and date to sail

24 Apr 1854 Deal Unnamed ship to sail 25 April 2 May 1854 Sheerness HMS Miranda, 3rd or 4th May 4 May 1854 The Downs HMS Penelope, to sail 6 May 15 May 1854 Sheerness HMS Resistance, to sail 18 May. Later postponed to 21 May 16 May 1854 The Downs HMS Belleisle, to sail 18 May 2 Jun 1854 Woolwich HMS Zephyr, to sail 7 Jun 2 Jun 1854 Deptford Holyrood, transport, 7 Jun 15 Jun 1854 The Downs HMS Locust, 23 Jun 29 Jun 1854 Sheerness HMS Dauntless, 4 Jul 1854 Jul 11 Deptford Holyrood, transport, 18 Jul 1854 Jul 11 Deptford Kangaroo, steamer, 12 Jul 1854 Jul 14 Portsmouth Rajah , chartered steamship, 17 Jul. See illustrated

cover

1 POST 14 dated March 1854. Daily instructions to the Sorting Teams at the London office – invaluable information


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Undoubtedly further sailings were made by HM Ships and transports to and from the Baltic Fleet. These would have been made known to the public via newspapers etc but have not been researched further.

On 22 May 1854 a more formal organisation was announced in the President’s Order Book: “Mails for the Fleet in the Baltic are to be made up at this office every Tuesday evening for conveyance via Dantzic. These mails will consist of letters (only) upon which the requisite rates of postage have been prepaid whether for officers or men. The letters forming these mails must be taxed in the same manner with the rates due to Prussia (vizt 4d per ½ oz) as ordinary letters for Prussia, and the total included in the amount placed to the credit of Prussia under Article 6 Table 2 of the Letter Bill. The letters must be tied up in separate bundles and inclosed in a bag unsealed which bag must be labelled “Letters for the British Fleet Baltic care of the British Consul Dantzic” and put in the sack containing the Prussian mail. The letters received from the Fleet by the same conveyance will be treated in like manner by the Prussian Office.”

This announcement was repeated in the House of Commons by the First Lord: “Sir Jas Graham said mail was made up in London every Tuesday for the Baltic Fleet, the letters being transmitted via Belgium & Prussia to Dantzig, whither Sir C Napier was instructed to dispatch, every Friday a steamer to meet and convey the correspondence to the Fleet. Postage on letters not exceeding ½ oz would amount to 8d on officers’ letters, that charge being made up of 3½d for the British, 1d for the Belgian, and 3½d for the Prussian rate. Seamen & Soldiers would receive their letters for 5d, the British rate being reduced to ½d on their behalf. Besides this weekly dispatch letters would be sent by all ships of war or other Govt vessels sent to join the fleet, at a charge of 1d to seamen & soldiers, and 6d to officers. With regard to letters from the Baltic fleet, Sir C Napier was instructed to send a steamer regularly once a fortnight to England. Letters to the Black Sea Fleet and the army in Turkey would be sent 6 times in every month through France at 3d apiece under 1/4 oz. Soldiers and sailors letters would also be conveyed at the same privilege rate of 1d by the fortnightly Oriental steamer from Southampton to Malta, and thence by such casual opportunities as might offer to their ultimate destination. Letters for the Baltic will be dispatched by the Zephyr steamer on the 7th inst.”2

Departures of HM Ships and transports to and from the fleet continued to be used to supplement the Dantzig route. For example, as stated on 2 June: “HM Steamer Zephyr and the transport steamer Holyrood will sail, the former from Woolwich and the latter from Deptford on the 7th inst for the Baltic. Mails must be made up for conveyance by these vessels and will consist of such correspondence as may be specially addressed by either of these as well as any correspondence which cannot be sent by way of Dantzic.” One advantage of these additional sailings was that postage was cheaper.

The sailing that concerns the cover illustrated on the front page was announced on 14 Jul in the President’s Order Book as follows: “The chartered steamship Rajah is appointed to leave Portsmouth for the Baltic on the afternoon of Monday the 17th inst and will convey a mail. Mails consisting of any correspondence specially addressed to go by that vessel, as well as any correspondence which cannot be sent by way of Dantzic, must therefore be made up and sent to Portsmouth until this office is advised of her having sailed.” The London Daily News dated 10 Jul reported: “The P&O ss Rajah is chartered to take out stores and provisions to the Baltic. She is to be got ready to leave Southampton the latter end of this week.” She left Southampton on 15 Jul for Portsmouth to embark biscuit at Portsmouth. She left Portsmouth on 20 Jul “with a large number of parcels for officers and men of the fleet.” The Hampshire Telegraph & Sussex Chronicle for 12 August reported: “Ledsund 1 August. The Rajah, steam transport, with letters joined [the fleet] on 27th [July]. The Holyrood joined on 28th. She had a mail onboard. The Squadron in the Gulf of Finland is composed of: Nile, Neptune, Monarch, Prince Regent, Royal George, St George, Euryalus, Cressy, Caesar, Magicienne, Desperate, Imperieuse, Dragon, Rosamond, together with some French ships.” The same paper for 19 August: “Ledsund. On the 3rd inst [August] the Holyrood and Rajah left for England.” And later: “Portsmouth 19 August. The Rajah, steam transport,

2 Hampshire Telegraph & Sussex Chronicle dated 3 June 1854


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arrived in harbour from the Baltic on Saturday [12th Aug]. She brought home a large mail from the fleet. Having discharged it she sailed again for the River [London].”

The GPO announced on 14 November 1854 that: “The main body of the British fleet in the Baltic now being in Kiel bay, mail will be forwarded daily except Sundays by way of Ostend to Hamburg, whence they will be sent on to Kiel. The weekly communication via Dantzig has ceased. Officers letters 10d, seamen & soldiers 7d.” Mail continued to be forwarded as opportunity offered by HM ships, transports, supply ships etc, at 6d single for officers and 1d for other ranks. Shortly after this the remaining elements of the fleet returned to England, the Baltic having iced up completely.

The general public were kept informed of postal arrangements by means of General Post Office (GPO) Notices, summarised briefly as follows:

Instruction No 19. Notice to the Public & Postmasters March 1854. Mails to be

made up as opportunity offers. Postage must be prepaid – 1d for seamen’s letters, 6d for ½oz for officers, 1/- to one ounce, plus 1/- per oz or part oz for heavier letters. Newspapers free.

Instruction No 30. Notice to the Public & Postmasters May 1854. Weekly communication via Dantzic “by means of a steam vessel to be detached from the fleet for the purpose”. Postage to be paid in advance: officers 8d single (progression as above), seamen 5d. Newspapers not allowed. Letters may still be sent by HM ships but opportunities uncertain – seamen’s letters 1d, prepaid.

The letter that appears on the front cover was written on 1 Aug 1854 aboard the 90-gun

sailing ship of the line Prince Regent off Reval. It was endorsed to go by the P&O hired transport Rajah (see table above), and was actually transported to that ship from Prince Regent by the writer, who says:

My Dear Mother, Unfortunately I have been placed in my old billet, a boat, & so of course I have more than

double to do than previously, & I know next month I shall find out the value of the fur coat you were so kind as to furnish me with. As I have to take the letters in twenty minutes on board the steamer “Rajah” & having to finish this letter and get my breakfast in that time, I write to tell you firstly that I received your letter announcing to me that dear Octavia is married. Oh how I should have liked to be at ? but it is of no use wishing. They seem to say now that we shall go home in the winter as this ship’s rigging has been over her mastheads for 7 years without being looked at. It is my opinion we shall go home and be turned over to a screw liner3. ... Our letters somehow or another have not come so regularly lately. The cholera is on the decline I am happy to say. We had one man died in 4 hours & a subscription was made amongst the officers & crew for his wife and 3 little children I believe we have got a good sum.

Yr affect son NW Stephens The letter was charged 6d on arrival, the officers’ rate, so clearly Stephens was not

entitled to the seamen’s concession rate. However, he cannot be found in the 1855 or 1860 Navy Lists. From the context of the letter “placed in my old billet, a boat” it is clear that, at the time of writing, he was either a Midshipman or a Volunteer, neither of which class of trainee officers appear in contemporary Navy Lists. Since he was not a commissioned officer by 1860 it may well be that his naval career was pretty brief.

3 i.e. a line of battle ship converted to auxiliary steam.


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Prince Regent had been cut down from a 3-deck 120-gun 1st rate to a 2-deck 90-gun 2nd rate some years before the war. A typical 90-gun 2-decker is shown here.

References:

1. Greenhill, Basil & Giffard, Ann: Steam, Politics & Patronage – the Transformation of the Royal Navy 1815-54; Conway Maritime Press 1994. ISBN 0-85177-612-4

2. Clowes, Sir William Laird: A History of the Royal Navy from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol VI; Sampson Low, Marston & Co, London, 1901

3. Ellott, Gerald, RDP: The Royal Navy in the Baltic & Black Sea 1853-1856; The Postscript to the Postal Historian, Autumn 2011 and Summer 2012

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Indian Peacekeeping Force in Sri Lanka (1987 – 1990): Divisional Postal Units Marc Parren

Introduction In FPHS Journal number 284 (Parren 2010) I reported for the first time about the Indian

Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990. In that contribution I provided mostly background information on this operation and the active Indian military contingent without being able to explain much about the postal implications. Recently I have been able to obtain more covers and, being able to clarify some of the censorship and postal history issues related to these covers, felt that an update would be appropriate.

Originally a reinforced division with small naval and air elements, the IPKF at its peak deployed four divisions and nearly 20,000 men with one mountain (4th) and three Infantry Divisions (36th, 54th & 57th) as well as supporting arms and services. I will discuss next each of these divisions and their postal units.

Postal implications

Each Division had its own Division Postal Unit (DPU) which oversaw the operations of several Field Post Offices (FPO). This postal service was manned mainly by civilian personnel on secondment to the Armed Forces. Selected people could be permanently absorbed also, if they opted for this. The FPOs were Field Post Offices; generally there were 5 FPOs in a Division, and one each for 3 Infantry Brigades, an Artillery Brigade and one for remaining Divisional troops. The FPOs formed part of a Divisional Postal Unit. They were responsible for all postal matters, monetary responsibilities like savings accounts, money transfers by money orders, postal


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orders and recently electronic transfers in some areas. I have noted two different types of datestamps used by the respective FPOs of IPKF (1) 26 mm circular unframed datestamp (Type 1) and (2) 26/27 mm double ring datestamp (Type 2). I believe that most FPOs had both types of datestamps available in parallel but more covers will be needed to prove this. As for postage rates those used were the same as the ones applicable in India. At that time the rate was 35p for an inland foldable letter card, 60p for an ordinary envelope, while inter FPO mail was free, as well as forces letter cards.

As for censorship no checking or censor mark or signature was required on ‘On Indian Government Service’ (OIGS) covers. Regarding the censorship mark in which the number is preceded by the letters ‘E’, ‘S’ or ‘W’, I surmise the alphabet is the first letter related to cardinal directions i.e. Southern, Eastern and Western Commands in India. They carried along with them their already allocated pre-fixed numbers. Only designated officers in the unit were allowed to do the censoring. The censorship mark is always seen used in purple ink. Sometimes green and pink letter cards can be seen for use by members of armed forces only. The pink letter cards were used only by officers and signed by them, while green letter cards were used mainly by other ranks and checked and signed by designated officials.

On some covers handstamps reading INDIAN PEACE / KEEPING FORCE (IPKF 1) or just IPKF (IPKF 2) are seen. The boxed INDIAN PEACE / KEEPING FORCE seems to be of a standard format in which the box measures 47 x 13 mm with unserifed letters 3 mm high applied in red, purple or green ink. This type of handstamp has been seen used by FPO 626, FPO 627 and FPO 779. The unframed IPKF has been seen only once and measures 36 x 10 mm used by FPO 1684. A boxed handstamp reading FPO CELEBRATING / APS CORPS DAY WITH / IPKF measuring 39 x 15 mm with the first two lines showing unserifed letters 2 mm high and IPKF in serifed letters 2 mm high was sometimes applied on covers in black and purple ink. This type of handstamp has been seen used by FPO 627, FPO 874, FPO 906 and FPO 949. It seems to have been celebrated on 1 March each year. Also a boxed handstamp reading LAST DAY WITH / IPKF Divisional level can be seen used so far only by FPO 610.

4th Mountain Division

The following 3 FPOs are known to have operated for the 4th Mountain Division in the Northern Province: FPO 699 at Jaffna; FPO 779 and FPO 906 both at Vavuniya. Jaffna is located in the extreme north of Sri Lanka on a peninsula of the same name and is the capital of the Northern Province. The frontline of the LTTE controlled areas was confined only a few km north of Vavuniya. See Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Locality Type EKD LKD Censors Remarks FPO 699 Jaffna 2 20.06.88 29.07.88 S-47 FPO 779 Vavuniya 2 03.03.89 FPO 906 Vavuniya 2 21.06.88 01.03.89 W1-146 Corps Day

cachet


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Fig 2 (above right). Cover franked 60p. Despatched 3 March 1989 from FPO 779 (Type 2) with IPKF 1 and arrival

postmark 7 March 1989 Jabalpur.

Fig 4 (above right) OIGS cover franked 60p. service stamps despatched 23 August 1988 from FPO 627 (Type 2) by

10 Engineer Regiment with IPKF 1 and arrival postmark 30 August 1988 Jabalpur.

Fig 1 (left) Inland letter card franked 35p. despatched 29

July 1988 from FPO 699 (Type 2) with censorship mark S-47 and arrival postmark 4

August 1988 Jabalpur.

Fig 3 (Left) Inland letter card postal stationary of 35p.

(green) despatched 1 March 1989 from FPO 906 (Type 2) with APS Corps day handstamp and

arrival postmark 11 March 1989 Jabalpur.


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Fig 5 (above). Cover franked 60p despatched 2 July 1988 from FPO 873 (Type 2) with censorship mark E2-306

and arrival postmark 16 July 1988 Jabalpur. Fig 6 (below).

Cover franked 60p despatched 1 March 1989 from FPO 949 (Type 2) with APS Corps day handstamp, censorship mark S1-3 and arrival postmark 15 March 1989 Jabalpur.

36th Infantry Division As for the 36th Infantry Division the following 3 FPOs are known to have operated: FPO

627 at an unknown location; FPO 873 at Trincomalee and FPO 949 at Mankulam. Mankulam lies in the Northern Province and north of Vavuniya, while Trincomalee lies on the east coast of the island, about 175 km south of Jaffna and is the administrative capital of Eastern Province. See Figures 4, 5 and 6 above.

Locality Type EKD LKD Censors Remarks FPO 627 ? 1 01.03.88 18.06.88 W-165 ? 2 05.07.88 23.08.88 FPO 873 Trincomalee 2 02.07.88 04.03.89 E2-306 part of 73

Inf. Brigade


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FPO 949 Mankulam Police Camp, Vavuniya

2 19.10.88 01.03.89 S-5, S1-3 part of 340 Inf. Brigade, Corps Day cachet

As regards FPO 949, in Feb/March 1988 it formed part of 36 infantry Division, and the

covers got S1-3, S-5 or S-449 censor marks. In June 1988 it became part of 340 (Independent) Infantry Brigade Group. So apparently the Brigade moved to another sector in an independent role.

54th Infantry Division

As for the 54th Infantry Division the following 6 FPOs are known to have operated in the Northern Province: FPO 610 at Jaffna; FPO 613 at Jaffna; FPO 626 at an unknown location; FPO 630 at Karaveddy; FPO 874 at an unknown location and FPO 898 at Palai. Karaveddy and Palai are both located north of Jaffna. Five FPOs operated under 54 DPU. See Figures 7, 8 & 9.

Locality Type EKD LKD Censors Remarks FPO 610 Jaffna 1 17.06.88 S-35 FPO 610 Jaffna 2 07.03.90 S-35 last day

IPKF FPO 613 Jaffna 2 07.07.88 02.08.88 S-29 FPO 626 ? 1 04.07.88 W1-146 FPO 630 Karaveddy 2 04.03.89 FPO 874 ? 1 12.05.88 13.03.89 S-450 FPO 898 Palai 1 08.07.88 S-12 FPO 898 Palai 2 27.06.88 01.11.88 S-12, S-17

Fig 7 (left). OIGS registered cover franked 65p. Service stamps despatched 2 August 1988 from

FPO 613 (Type 2) and arrival postmark 12 August 1988 Jabalpur. Fig 8 (right). Cover franked 60p. Despatched 4 July 1988 from FPO 626 (Type 1) with IPKF 1,

censorship mark W1-146 and arrival postmark 16 July 1988 Jabalpur. Fig 9 (below). Cover franked 60p. Despatched 8 July 1988 from FPO 898 (Type 1) with

censorship mark S-12 and arrival postmark 15 July 1988 Jabalpur.


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57th Infantry Division As for the 57th Infantry Division the following 3 FPOs are known to have operated in

the Eastern Province: FPO 769 at Valaichenai; FPO 788 and FPO 871 at Batticaloa. Both are coastal towns. See figures 10, 11 & 12.

Locality Type EKD LKD Censors Remarks FPO 769 Valaichenai 2 14.06.88 24.07.88 E1-345, S-

27

FPO 788 Batticaloa 2 12.06.88 05.07.88 S-19 FPO 871 Batticaloa 2 19.06.88 02.03.88 E1-235

Fig 10 (left). Inland letter card franked 35p despatched 24 July 1988 from FPO 769 (Type 2) with censorship mark S-27 and arrival postmark 2 August

1988 Jabalpur (wrongly dated December). Fig 11 (below). Cover franked 60p despatched 5 July 1988 from FPO 788 (Type 2) with censorship mark S-

19 and arrival postmark 16 July 1988 Jabalpur.


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Unknown

There are three FPOs which so far cannot be attributed to a certain military unit: FPO 1684 at Ampara; FPO 1685 at Mannar and FPO 1701 at an unknown location. Ampara lies in the Eastern Province inward from the coast, while Mannar lies in the Northern Province on Mannar Island on the western coast. See Figures 13, 14 & 15.

Locality Type EKD LKD Censors Remarks FPO 1684 Ampara 1 17.06.88 E1-227 FPO 1684 Ampara 2 19.06.88 03.08.88 E1-227 FPO 1685 Mannar 1 01.03.89 07.03.89 E1-169 FPO 1685 Mannar 2 13.03.88 E1-169 FPO 1701 ? 2 04.07.89

Fig 14 (below left). Inland letter card postal stationary franked 35p. (Purple) despatched 1 March 1989 from FPO 1685 (Type 1) with mark E1-169 and arrival postmark 7 March 1989

Jabalpur. Inside message with compliments on occasion of APS Corps day but no special handstamp applied.

Fig 15 (below right). Inland letter card postal stationary of 35p. (Purple) despatched 4 July 1988 from FPO 170 (Type 2) with arrival postmark 16 July 1988 Jabalpur.

Fig 12. Postal Stationery envelope

with 50p. Asoka Pillar green imprinted stamp with

additional 25p. stamps affixed despatched 23

September 1988 from FPO 871 (Type 2) with

censorship mark E1-235 and arrival postmark 2

October 1988 Jabalpur.

Fig 13. Inland letter card postal stationary

franked 35p. (purple) despatched 3 August 1988 from FPO 1684 (Type 2) with IPKF 2 and

arrival postmark 12 August 1988

Jabalpur.


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The IPKF began withdrawing from Sri Lanka in 1989, following the election of the Vishwanath Pratap Singh government in India and on the request of the newly-elected Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa. The last IPKF contingents left Sri Lanka in March 1990. Conclusion

The earliest seen cover so far is dated 1 March 1988 and the latest 7 March 1990 which was the reported latest day of operation. Some 3 FPOs have been identified attached to the 4th Mountain Division, another 3 FPOs have been identified attached to the 36th Infantry Division, some 5 FPOs should operate under the 54th Infantry Division DPU but 6 FPOs have been noted, while 3 FPOs have been identified being attached to the 57th Infantry Division. Three FPOs that were active in Sri Lanka for IPKF cannot be allocated to any Division so far. These FPOs seem to have been using two types of circular datestamps in parallel - an unframed type and a double ring type. However, more covers will be needed to confirm this. As for censorship a limited number of censorship marks seem to have been in use related to cardinal directions i.e. Southern, Eastern and Western Commands in India. So far most covers per FPO show a single censorship device in use; others show two different ones and even different prefixes. The boxed INDIAN PEACE / KEEPING FORCE seems to be of a standard format, the most commonly used and applied by a limited number of FPOs. Acknowledgements

I would like to thank a military person who formed part of the IPKF operations and was based in a command centre in India. Much valuable information was derived from him allowing writing the postal history side of this operation. I dedicate this article to our auctioneer the late Stephen Dunderdale who was also a very keen collector of this operation originating from his beloved Sri Lanka.

References

1. Depinder Singh (2001). Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka. Dehra Dun, India, Natraj Publishers, Revised and updated edition.

2. Parren, Marc (2010). The Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka 1987-1990. Forces Postal History Society Journal 284: 42-44.


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BFPO Address Updates Michael Dobbs

At the time of writing this, a recent search on the MOD website for the latest BFPO

listing (dated 13 September 2013) showed the following changes: New BFPO addresses:

BFPO 68 (Postcode BF1 2BE) - Poggio Renatico, Italy. This was also listed in the BFPO listing shown on 7 August 2013. This is the very first time that the address BFPO 68 has been used - it is worth noting that the addresses BFPO 67, 68, 71, 72, 79-82, 84, 86-89, 92-95 and 97-99 have never before been recorded used (so far as I am aware).

Poggio Renatico was the location of the NATO unit called Combined Air Operations Centre 5 (CAOC 5). With the opening of CAOC 5 in September 2001 the Balkans CAOC at Vicenza, Italy ceased to exist and its functions were absorbed by CAOC 5. It was located at the Italian Air Base at Aeroporto Poggio Renatico in the town of Ferrara, Italy, about 34 miles from Bologna. On 1 January 2013 CAOC 5 was converted into the Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC) as part of the NATO command structure reorganisation. Its CAOC duties were transferred to the CAOC at Torrejon in Spain. The base is home to the headquarters of the Italian Air Force Comando Operativo Forzee Aeree (COFA). The Commander COFA is also dual-hatted as the Commander of the DACCC. It is not known how many British service personnel are based at Poggio Renatico. Like other NATO locations in Europe there is unlikely to be an actual British Forces Post Office at this location - it is thought that this is merely a mailing address.

BFPO 678 (Postcode BF1 6EY) - Two Boats, Ascension Island. Two Boats is a village at the foot of Green Mountain, about three miles from Wideawake Airfield. It has a population of about 120, is also the site of the Two Boats Club (bar and snack bar with regular live music), a large fresh water swimming pool, children’s playground, and Two Boats School, the island's only school. Nothing further is known as to why this BFPO was introduced, who it serves or whether or not there is an actual British Forces Post Office at this location, although I suspect it is something to do with the school.

BFPO 747 (no postcode as this is for official mail only). This BFPO number is not listed on the above BFPO Indicator List. However, I have come across this BFPO number as follows: • Defence Council Instructions (General): DCI GEN 184/94 dated 24/6/1994 on the “Make

up and despatch of official mail” included a BFPO Indicator List in which this BFPO was included along with the annotation “Foreign and Commonwealth Mails only” [The National Archives reference DEFE73/61].

• Defence Council Instructions (General): DCI GEN 258/94 dated 7/10/1994 which reported that a Defence Attaché post was established in Zagreb, Croatia from 12/1994 with the address BFPO 1000 for classified mail and BFPO 747 for ordinary mail [The National Archives reference DEFE73/61].

• Movement Control Officers’ Club News Bulletin Issue 499, July 1995 which listed British Military Mission Kuwait, Box 006, BFPO 747 [http://www.movcon.org.uk/History/MCOC/Bulletins/bull_95_b.htm#Top] (Retrieved 10/10/2013)

• Listed on the BFPO London website as at 24 September 2001 [http://www.bfpo.org.uk/bfpo_numbers.html] East Yorkshire Family History Society website as at June 2007 [http://www.eyfhs.org.uk/content/resources/guides/bfpo.php]


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Listed on the BFPO London website as at 9 April 2009 as “London (British Embassies - Military Staff)” [http://www.bfpo.mod.uk/bfponumbers_static.htm]

• Jordanian British Training Project Team (JBTPT) There were British service personnel on loan to the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF). Such loan was covered in Joint Services Publication 468 (JSP 468) (Joint Service Manual for the Loan and Secondment of Personnel to Commonwealth and Foreign Forces). Specific Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) for Loan Service Personnel (LSP) to the JAF were covered in the “Loan Service Brief” – The Blue Book July 2010 (Annex A) [although it was actually dated January 2011] [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxsaWZlaW5qb3JkYW58Z3g6NTdlNDkzMDA1YzA5NjY0OA] (Retrieved 10/10/2013) This was part of the online “The Jordan Guide”: under “Military Pages” there was the “Pre-Arrival / Arrival Guide” which gave details of Mail at paragraph 32 as shown below. Annex A was then listed at the bottom, along with other documents, but they all had the date “18 Oct 2011” next to them ! [https://sites.google.com/site/lifeinjordan/military-pages/arrival-departure] (Retrieved 10/10/2013) Official mail: All official mail was despatch through the BFPO via the FCO Bag. Outgoing mail - all mail was dispatched through the Embassy and had to be clearly marked official. Mail had to be in the Admin Office by 1200 hours every Thursday for dispatch on Sundays. Incoming mail - all official mail had to be clearly marked “official” otherwise it would be rejected by the FCO in London. The address was: BMATT Jordan, � Defence Section, British Embassy, BFPO 747

I also have other references to the use of BFPO 747 such as for the British Military

Advisory & Training Team Southern Africa (Harare, Zimbabwe) in 1997 and Military Advisory & Training Team (MATT) (Freetown, Sierra Leone) in 2000.

The following information has largely been taken from a response by Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stark, SO1 Policy & Strategy, BFPO, which appeared in the online version of the Army Families Federation magazine “Families Journal”, Autumn 2010 edition following a letter published in the magazine written by an individual who had “recently moved from BFPO 747 in Istanbul where the post is handled by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) mail system” and had trouble with mail being redirected to his new address in the UK for which he had to go to the post office and was charged £1.81 each time a letter was redirected. In his response Lieutenant Colonel Stark wrote:

“As rightly stated, BFPO 747 mail moves within the FCO system and as such the service is designated for official mail for which BFPO reimburses the FCO. BFPO has an extant arrangement with FCO whereby Defence staff, who do not have recourse to a separate routine BFPO number, may receive private mail items up to 100g. Since February 2008, the correct number for private mail for Istanbul has been BFPO 5403. Private mail to BFPO 5403 would have had the correct BFPO postage rates paid at the point of posting and as such would be capable of being redirected to any forwarding address at no further cost.” [http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1pdyv/ArmyFamiliesJournalA/resources/70.htm] (Retrieved 10/10/2013)

So BFPO 747 was used for mail to Defence Staffs within the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) system (i.e. at British Embassies and other diplomatic locations around the world) and as such the service was designated for official mail only for which the BFPO reimbursed the FCO. BFPO had an arrangement with the FCO whereby Defence Staffs who did not have recourse to a separate routine BFPO number could receive private mail items up to 100g in weight. As a result a series of BFPO codes (in the 5xxx range) were introduced worldwide for Defence Staffs and their families to receive private mail. In an email dated 6 November 2013 from Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stark, SO1 Policy & Plans at HQ BFPO he writes:


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“The BFPO is contracted by FCO to sort personal mail for all overseas UK diplomatic staff. Towards that all UK Embassies / Consulates (considerably more than 52) have been allocated a four figure sort code; but these do not constitute a BFPO address which remains at three digits. Therefore four figure numbers are solely for internal BFPO use; hence why they are not listed on the website. February 2008 is the timeframe on which we first undertook this activity using automation on our packet and parcel sorting machine procured as part of the move from Mill Hill to Northolt in late 2007.” “BFPO 747 relates solely to official MOD correspondence with the Defence Sections, Military Attachés etc. seconded to UK Embassies and as such the FCO charge MOD for the movement of this mail. Hence why use for personal mail would be inappropriate.”

Little is known of this service other than the above. However, extensive trawling of the internet has produced the following numbers and locations. These are mailing addresses only, there is no actual BFPO at these locations and mail from such locations would not normally bear a BFPO postmark. BFPO 5009 Bamako, Mali BFPO 5408 Beirut, Lebanon BFPO 5220 Amsterdam, The Netherlands BFPO 5409 Astana, Kazakhstan BFPO 5236 Barcelona, Spain BFPO 5410 Almaty, Kazakhstan BFPO 5237 Bilbao, Spain BFPO 5413 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates BFPO 5240 Alicante, Spain BFPO 5414 Bahrain, Bahrain BFPO 5254 Berne, Switzerland BFPO 5419 Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia BFPO 5267 Belgrade, Serbia BFPO 5421 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia BFPO 5270 Athens, Greece BFPO 5422 Baghdad, Iraq BFPO 5273 Valletta, Malta BFPO 5423 Basra, Iraq BFPO 5237 Bilbao, Spain BFPO 5433 Bangalore, India BFPO 5282 Berlin, Germany BFPO 5441 Bandar Seri Bagawan, Brunei BFPO 5291 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan BFPO 5442 Bangkok, Thailand BFPO 5306 Alexandria, Egypt BFPO 5457 Beijing, China BFPO 5309 Algiers, Algeria BFPO 5469 Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina BFPO 5310 Asmara, Eritrea BFPO 5513 Atlanta, USA BFPO 5311 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia BFPO 5557 Anguilla BFPO 5317 Accra, Ghana BFPO 5562 Belmopan, Belize BFPO 5328 Banjul, Gambia BFPO 5567 Antigua BFPO 5357 Abuja, Nigeria BFPO 5574 Ascension Islands BFPO 5401 Ankara, Turkey BFPO 5579 Baku, Azerbaijan BFPO 5406 Amman, Jordan BFPO 5609 Auckland, New Zealand

The above listing has been taken from the website Cadet Direct UK Ltd (Suppliers to Military Personnel, Cadet Forces and the General Public): [http://www.cadetdirect.com/bfpo_address.php] (Retrieved 9/10/2013) The following were gleaned from other searches and relate to a wide variety of websites and have, in the main, been extracted from contact details for individuals at those locations: BFPO 5203 British Embassy Moscow BFPO 5406 British Embassy Amman BFPO 5260 British Embassy Vienna BFPO 5413 British Embassy Abu Dhabi BFPO 5312 British Embassy Khartoum BFPO 5439 British High Commission

Kuala Lumpur BFPO 5319 British Embassy Kinshasa, Republic

of Congo BFPO 5461 British Embassy Tokyo,

Japan BFPO 5403 British Consulate General Istanbul BFPO 5537 British Embassy Bogota,

Colombia There are, of course, many, many more.


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Captain Alan McLean – Censorship Officer Andrew Brooks and Ann Fox

Whilst on holiday in Norfolk in the 1980s a friend and I purchased a total of 34 WW1

postcards from a bric-a-brac shop, after I had persuaded her that the postmarks were more important than the subject on the front of the cards. The picture side of nearly all of the postcards dealt with the Anglo- Indian Army that had recently arrived in France. For almost thirty years these cards have remained in our albums and it is only recently, with the help of the 1911 census, that the full story of the cards can be explained.

Figs 1 & 2

Figs 3 & 4 Without exception all the cards are addressed to either Misses Aileen or Sheila

Henderson and signed ‘Uncle Alan’. All but two of the cards are addressed to 18 Cottesmore Gardens, Kensington, London. A typical card (Figs 1 & 2) is postmarked APO 48 and has the CM1 Censor No. 201. The messages are always minimal and very little information could be gleaned from this source. APO 48 is listed for Orleans as a Stationary Office used between October 1914 and January 1915 and as nearly all the cards sent from November onwards have studies of the Indian Army (landed at Marseilles in September and moved to the Orleans area by October) I mistakenly jumped to the conclusion that ‘Uncle Alan’ was a British Officer attached to the Anglo-Anglo-Indian Army. (Figs 3 & 4)


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Figs 5 & 6

Figs 7 & 8

This would have been perfectly feasible but for three postcards that do not fit the picture. The first is illustrated (Figs 5 & 6) and is postmarked APO 37 dated 22/8/14 and is the first recorded date for this postmark used at the Stationary Office in Boulogne according to Proud. It has CM 1 No 179 and like CM1 No 200 on the second postcard had not been identified in the 1980s (letters were exchanged with Frank Daniel regarding these cards). The first card received a one penny postage due stamp (normal for the month of August 1914) when it reached Alford in Aberdeenshire and this is probably the only card containing a clue from the message ‘…this is where I am working at present.’ The French B/W postcard is of the port of Rouen and I would suggest that APO 37 was therefore located at Rouen on the 22nd August and not at Boulogne. The second postcard of Rouen Cathedral (Fig 7) has a Southampton postmark for the 31st of August cancelling a ½ d stamp and is censored with CM1 No 200. At this time the British Army was retreating from Mons and the Bases were compelled to retreat to St Nazaire and Nantes and Rouen was evacuated by rail between the 30th August and the 1st September. Did someone returning to England take Uncle Alan’s postcard and post it in Southampton during this hectic period? The third postcard and the latest in the group of 34 cards is postmarked Base Army Post Office 1 dated 7th February 1915 (Fig 8) and it is censored with CM2 No 2033 which is identified for the Advanced Horse Transport Depot, 14th A.S.C. Was he in the A.S.C? Another red-herring!

The breakthrough in identification came with the publication of the 1911 census (and the help of a neighbour, a keen family historian). The Henderson family were living at 18 Cottesmore Gardens in 1911 and there were two daughters Aileen and Sheila, aged three and eight months. As I had already made the obvious check to see if ‘Alan’ was a Henderson the alternative surname I needed was the girls’ mother’s maiden name. Alice Livingstone Henderson was a Mclean before she was married and in the 1891 census she was aged fourteen with a younger brother Alan aged thirteen. The 1901 census revealed that Alan was a Bar student at Lincoln’s Inn. With this information it was a simple task to locate his Medal Index Card. Captain Alan Mclean, an officer in the Inn’s of Court OTC, disembarked in France on the 10th August 1914 and the Medal Index Card records him as ‘Attached as Censorship Officer H.Q. No.2


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Base’. The fact that he was a censor perhaps explains why none of the 34 postcards are signed by a censor! Also a message on one of his cards, dated 5/11/14, now had more significance than was first thought. What appeared to be a comment about him censoring an item of mail belonging to someone in his own unit now suggested that he, as a censor officer at the Base Office, had spotted someone he knew ‘…I have been censoring a letter from MORTON STEPHENSON to Mrs FORD. Ask Wattie if Morton is a brother or cousin of Frank Stephenson & let me know. If he is one of that family I will try & look him up. Let me know anything you can about him.’ I now think that he was probably sent to Orleans in November 1914 to assist as a censorship officer with the Anglo-Indian Army and his last card sent from Orleans is dated 18th December 1914. A search for further information at The National Archives revealed very little and the last comment on his Medal Index Card states that ‘Captain Brevet Major A. Mclean applies for 1914 Star 21.2.20.

References: Daniel, Frank: The B.E.F. in France,1914-The Earliest Days. FPHS Newsletter Autumn 1991. Kennedy, A & Crabb, G: The Postal History of the British Army in World War 1 Proud, EB: History of British Army Postal Service Vol 2 1903-1927 Daniel, Frank: The Field Censor Systems of the Armies of the British Empire 1914-1918 1911 Census.

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Feedback RAF Redirection Labels. From Ian Muchall

Having read Mike Sanders’ article relating to RAF Form 1674 it appears that he was asking if there are any other types known. (see Winter 2013 page 121). If so I can add that amongst my 60 or so examples from RAF Bases around the world and in particular the UK the form was a standard issue from at least March 1944 until 1977 and probably is still in use. RAF Record Office (Innsworth) and Air Ministry (AR 8), later MOD, had their own printed labels for redirection or RTS. The basic layout has remained virtually unchanged. The earliest I have was used at RAF Radlett (Herts) in March 1944 and the earliest from overseas was from Palestine in July 1944. Prior to that it seems that for expediency envelopes were just amended with the new location by hand, resulting in a multitude of pen marks and obliterations. Not a pretty sight.

TNT Post - BFPO 1371: Update. From Michael Dobbs

In Journal 297 (Autumn 2013) I wrote about a TNT indicia with the code BFPO 1371. I, and our Editor, subsequently received a letter dated 27 September 2013 from Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stark, SO1 Policy & Plans at HQ BFPO. His letter states:

“Your article towards the back of Forces Postal History Society Journal (No 297) relating to TNT Post has been brought to my attention. I am able to confirm that the TNT Post indicia BFPO 1371 does indeed refer to the contract between that company and the MOD. It does not refer to downstream access, via Royal Mail, but rather to the original commercial contract number under which BFPO charges TNT Post for access to the Forces Post Service.”

I subsequently emailed Lt Col Stark and thanked him for his response at the same time sought further clarification on the use of such numbers in postal indicia. I received an e-mail back dated 6 November in which he writes:

“Since deregulation of the industry the only mail operator, other than Royal Mail, to process letter post through BFPO is TNT Post. Consequently they are the only company that has generated their own postal indicia. Letter mail is on the decline and TNT Post is one company that chases clean mail contracts and is prepared to deliver direct to BFPO. Other companies sorting mail tend to pay Royal Mail for downstream access and their letters come with the prerequisite Royal Mail indicia showing delivered by Royal Mail etc. A considerable number of courier companies have entered into MOD/BFPO commercial contracts but as far as I am aware none mark their items with unique indicia. More likely they are bar-coded and we read that data for billing and tracking purposes.”


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WW2 POW Camps for Italians & Germans in Europe, North Africa and Middle East

Peter Burrows Part Two. Continued from Journal 298

93 Harperley Camp, Stanley, Crook, County Durham � ?/43 - 10/44 #93 Bishop Auckland Satellite Camp, County Durham � #93 Bedburn Satellite Camp, Bishop Auckland, County Durham � #93 Consett Satellite Camp, County Durham � #93 Hamsterley Hall Satellite Camp, Bishop Auckland, County Durham � #93 High Spen Satellite Camp, Rowlands Gill, County Durham � #93 Lanchester Satellite Camp, Durham � #93 Langton Grange Satellite Camp, Northallerton, Yorkshire � #93 Mount Oswald Satellite Camp, Durham ??? #93 Usworth Satellite Camp, Washington, County Durham � 94 Gaulby Road Camp, Billesdon, Leicester � 9/43 – 11/46 95 Batford Camp, Harpenden, Hertfordshire � opened summer 43 – 7/47 #95 Hatfield Hyde Satellite Camp, Hatfield, Hertfordshire � #95 Lemsford Satellite Camp, Hatfield, Hertfordshire � #95 Stanborough Satellite Camp, Hatfield, Hertfordshire � #96 Wolseley Road Camp, Rugeley, Staffordshire � 4/46 97 Birdingbury Camp, Bourton-on-Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire � 3/44 - 10/46

Fig 4. Birdingbury POW Camp #97 - Army Form W3494 (Revised) postcard sent to Bremen from Obervormann [Chief Foreman] in the Reichsarbeitsdienst [State Labour Service] at

Bourton, Rugby, Warwickshire, on 13th October 1946, with three line camp cachet. Also with 26mm Camp #140 Warwick Racecourse cachet where the prisoner had been held on 5th

September.

#98 Little Addington Camp, Hill Farm Estate, Irthlingborough Road, Little Addington, Kettering, Northamptonshire � 1/44 – 4/45


164

#100 [also 38] St Martin’s, Oswestry, Shropshire � 6/45 - 11/46 103 Moota Camp, Cockermouth, Cumberland � 2/42 – 4/47 104 Bela River Camp, Milnthorpe, Westmoreland � 6/43 - 2/46 105 Wooler Camp, Brewery Road, Wooler, Northumberland � 2/46 – 6/47 #105 Hetton House Camp, Chatton, Wooler, Northumberland � 106 [also 10] Stamford Camp, Empingham Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire � 5/46 - 10/47 107 Penleigh Camp, Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset � 4/47 – 6/47 108 Thirkleby Camp, Sandhill, Little Thirkleby, Thirsk, Yorkshire � ?/43 - ?/48 114 Eden Vale Camp, Westbury, Wiltshire � 8/45 – 12/47 115 White Cross Camp, St Columb Major, Cornwall � 3/45 – 9/47 116 Mill Lane Camp, Hatfield Heath, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire � ? - 7/47 116 Epping Satellite Camp, Mill Lane Camp, Hatfield Heath, Hertfordshire � 2/47 – 9/47 #116 Hill Hall Satellite Camp, Epping 117 Walderslade Camp, King George Street, Chatham, Kent � 5/48 121 [also 211] Scriven Hall Satellite Camp, Knaresborough, Yorkshire � 7/46 - 5/47 ?121 Ripon Racecourse Camps North & South, Ripon, Yorkshire � 5/47 #121A Blackmore Park Farm Camp, Malvern, Worcestershire � $122 Rayners Lane, Harrow, Middx � 8/44 – Closed 15/3/47 transferred to Oxhey lane 122 Hatch End Satellite Camp, Pinner, Middx [1100 Italian POWs transferred to Rayners Lane 10/44] � 9/46 122 Oxhey Lane [Satellite] Camp, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Pinner, Middx [Tented camp with 500 German POWs building roads & sewers, now site of Bannister Sports Centre] � 7/45 - 7/47 #122? Kenton Lane?, Harrow Weald [1/49 camp ready for occupation by secondary modern school] 122 Scrubs Lane Satellite Camp, Shepherds Bush, W12 � ? – 2/48 #122G Dancer’s Hill, South Mimms, Barnet, Hertfordshire � #124 Ashton Gate Camp, Ashton Gate, Bristol � 124A Bedminster Camp, Ashton Gate, Bristol � 5/46 - 3/48 #124 Wapley Camp, Yate, Bristol � end of 44 125 Shirley Church Road Camp, Addington, Surrey � ?/? – 7/47 125 Newlands House Camp, Tooting Bec Road, Tooting Bec Common, London SW17 � 12/44 – 8/46 126 Mellands Camp, Sandfold Lane, Gorton, Manchester � 5/46 – ?/47 #127 [also 296] Potter Hill Camp, High Green, Sheffield [listed as Potters in error] � 11/44 - 11/45 128 Meesden Camp, Buntingford, Hertfordshire � 3/45 - 3/46 129 Ashford Lodge Camp, Halstead, Essex �12/45 - 11/47 #130 West Fen Militia Camp, March, Cambridgeshire � #131 Uplands Camp, Diss, Norfolk � closed 46 132 Kimberley Park Camp, Wymondham, Norfolk � 9/45 - 2/46 #133 Hetton House Camp, Chatton, Alnwick, Northumberland � ?/? - 5/46 [not listed] #134 Loxley Hall Camp, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire � 135 Stanbury House Camp, Spencer’s Wood, Reading, Berkshire � 5/47 #136 High Hall Camp, Bishop Burton, Beverley, Yorkshire � #136A [also 264] Welton House Camp, Brough, Yorkshire � #137 Hazledene Camp, Elburton, Plymouth, Devon � ?/ - 5/48 137A Chaddlewood House Camp, Plympton, Plymouth � 10/47 #137B Winsford Towers Camp, Halwill, Beaworthy, Devon � 6/44 137C & R Chaddlewood House Camp, Plympton, Plymouth � ?8/46 – 7/5/48 [HQ for all working camps in South Devon] #137? Bickham Camp ?/44 #137? Efford Work Camp ?/44


165

#137? Saltram Park Work Camp ?/44 #137? Marsh Mills Work Camp ?/44 #137? Central Park Work Camp, Plymouth ?/44 #138 The Rectory Camp, Bassingham, Lincoln � 139 Wolviston Hall Camp, Wolviston, Billingham, County Durham � 12/46 – 1/47 #139B Coxhoe Hall Camp, Coxhoe, Durham � 140 Warwick Racecourse, Warwick � 8/45 – 9/46 141 Beeson House Camp, St Neots, Huntingdon � ?/45 – 8/48 #142 Brockworth Court Camp, Brockworth, Gloucester � [not listed] ?/45 #143 Serlby Hall Camp, Serlby, Blyth, Worksop, Nottinghamshire � #143 Carlton Hall Camp, Carlton, Worksop, Nottinghamshire � #144 Ruskin Avenue Camp, Kew, Surrey [Ministry of Health Building, now site of Public Records] � 7/45 - 9/45 #144 Occupation Road Satellite Camp, Hanwell, W7 [Post Office stores] � #145 Normanhurst Court Camp, Catsfield, Battle, Sussex � #146 Newton Camp, Newton with Scales, Kirkham, Preston, Lancashire � ?147 Boar’s Head Camp, Walgherton, Nantwich, Cheshire � 3/46 #148 Castlethorpe Hall Camp, Castlethorpe, Brigg, Lincolnshire � #148?? Sawcliffe Farm Camp, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire � ?149 Lee House Camp, Romsey, Hampshire � 12/45 [not listed] #150 Walpole Road Camp, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge � [not listed] #151 Pendeford Hall Camp, Codsall, Wolverhampton � 151 Satellite Labour Camp, Coven, near Wolverhampton � 9/47 #151 [also 272] Davenport House Satellite Camp, Worfield, Bridgnorth, Shropshire � 9/46 #151 [also 272] Cricket Club Satellite Camp, Worfield, Bridgnorth, Shropshire � #151A Lawne Camp, Coven Lane, Coven, Wolverhampton � 4/47 #151B Halfpenny Green Camp, Wolverhampton � #152 Old Liberal Club Camp, Charnwood Road, Shepshed, Loughborough, Leicestershire � 1/46 #153 [also 268] Norduck Farm Camp, Aston Abbots, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire � ?/45 153 Fulney Park Camp, Low Fulney, Spalding, Lincolnshire � 3/47 – 11/47 154 Minister of Works Camp, Swanscombe Street, Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Kent � 2/46 – 12/46 #155 Hornby Hall Camp, High Street, Brougham, Penrith, Cumberland � ?/46 #155?? Greystoke Camp, Penrith, Cumberland � 156 The Heath Camp, Pottergate Plantation, Wellingore, Lincoln � 5/47 156 German POW Working Camp 157 Bourton-on-the-Hill Camp, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire � 2/46 - 5/47 #159 [also 163 & 244] Butterwick Camp, Butterwick, Weaverthorpe, Malton, Yorkshire � #160, #161 & #162 see hospitals #163 [also 159 & 244] Butterwick Camp, Butterwick, Weaverthorpe, Malton, Yorkshire � #164 Weston Lane Camp, Otley, Yorkshire � 166 Wollaton Hall Park Camp, Nottingham � 3/45 – 5/46 $167 Shady Lane Camp, Stoughton near Leicester � ?/44 - 10/47 closed 48 #168 Brook Mill Camp, Woodlands, Kirkham, Preston � 3/46 closed 48 168 [also 2 & 176] Glen Mill Camp, Oldham, Lancashire � 2/47 used for transfer to/from Canadian camps #169 [also 613] Tollerton Hall Camp, Tollerton, Nottingham � 5/46 #170 [also 292] Weelsby Camp, Grimsby, Lincolnshire � 4/45 #171 Camp A, Knowsley Park, Prescot, Lancashire � #171 Bungay Base Camp, Bungay, Suffolk � #172 Dog and Duck Cottage Camp, Norton, Malton, Yorkshire � 2/45 174 Norton Park Camp, Cuckney, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire � 2/46 – 4/48


166

175 [also see 16] Flaxley Green Camp, Stilecop Field, Rugeley, Staffordshire � 12/45 - 5/46 176 [also 2 & 168] Glen Mill Camp, Wellyhole Sreet, Oldham, Lancashire � 3/46 – 5/46 177 [also 8, 9, & 12] Warth Mill Camp, Bury, Lancashire � 3/45 - 3/47 ?178 [also 247] Ure Bank Camp, Ripon, Yorkshire � 2/45 – 3/45 #179 [also 5, 13, 58, 297 & ETO#7] The Hayes Camp, Swanwich Hayes, Derby � 2/45 180 [also 189] Marbury Hall Camp, Nantwich, Cheshire � 7/46 - 8/46 $180 Radwinter North Satellite Camp, Walden Road, Radwinter Manor, Saffron Walden, Essex � 1/46 - 1/48 #180 [also 45] Trumpington Camp, Cambridge � #181 [also 249] Carburton Camp, Worksop, Nottinghamshire � 3/45 - ? #183 [also 9] Quorn Camp, Wood Lane, Quorn, Loughborough, Leicestershire � 183 Saltby Aerodrome GWC, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire � - 4/46 #183 Becton Marshes Camp, East Ham, London � 185 Springhill Lodge Camp, Five Mile Drive, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire � 5/45 – 8/46 186 Fornham Park Base Camp, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk [error Farnham] � 10/47 – 5/48 186 Berechurch Hall Camp, Colchester, Essex � Opened 19 September 1944 for Germans captured after D Day – 9/47 later Repatriation Centre #186 Colchester, Essex � may be short address for Berechurch Hall Camp #187 [also 404] Ivybridge Camp, Ivybridge, Devon � 189 Dunham Park Camp, Altrincham, Cheshire � 11/44 – closed late 48 or early 49 189 Marbury Hall Camp, Northwich, Cheshire � 8/47 - 2/48 189 Satellite Camp, Tarporley, Cheshire [under #74 Racecourse Camp] � ?/47 191 Crewe Hall Camp, Stowford, Crewe, Cheshire � ?/43 - 9/46 #192 [also 240] Adderley Hall Camp, Adderley, Market Drayton, Shropshire � #193 Madeley Tile Works Camp, [now Eternit Clay Tiles Ltd, Ridge Hill Drive] Madeley Heath, Crewe, Staffordshire � closed ?/48 #193 Hampton [Court] Park Camp, Richmond-on-Thames, Surrey � #194 Council House Camp, Penkridge, Stafford � #194 Teddesley Hall Camp, Penkridge, Stafford � #195 [also 241] Merevale Hall Camp, Atherstone, Warwickshire � 11/44 - 4/45 196 Arbury Hall Camp, Nuneaton, Warwickshire � ?/45 - 1/48 #202 MU RAE Camp, Longparish, Andover, Hampshire � #204 Colchester, Essex � #211 Scriven Hall Camp, Knaresborough, Yorkshire � #225 Howe’s Retreat Camp, Sheethanger Lane, Hemel Hempstead � #226 see Europe #231 & #232 see hospitals #232 Stratford-upon-Avon Camp, Warwickshire � #233 Summer House Camp, Ravensbourne, Beckenham, Kent � ?/45 #235 Chorleywood Hostel, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire � #235 Gorhambury Park Hostel, St Albans, Hertfordshire � #235 Holtsmere End Hostel, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire � #235 Howe’s Retreat Hostel, Felden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire � #235 Northchurch Hostel, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire � 235 The Arches Camp, Felden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire � 2/47 – 10/47 #236 White House Camp, Church Hill, Loughton, Essex � 237 Coed Bel Camp, Lubbock Road, Chislehurst, Kent � ?/41 - 11/46 238 Brook House Camp, Hammingden Lane, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex � 9/46 - 11/47 #239 Weston Acres Camp?, Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey [Military Area HQ in golf club on Shirley Church Road, controlling working camps in Surrey and Middlesex] � 239 Banstead Satellite Camp, Surrey � Opened for Italians in ex-Canadian camp August 1944 - 10?/47


167

#239 Park Farm Satellite Camp, Banstead Wood Camp, Surrey � 239 Billet Road Working Camp, Staines, Middlesex � 7/46 #239 Chessington Satellite Camp, Surrey � 239 [also 275] Claygate Lane Satellite Camp, Thames Ditton, Surrey � 8/46 #239 Croydon Satellite Camp, Surrey � 239 Laleham Road Working Camp, Staines, Middlesex � 8/46 #239 Whitton Satellite Camp, Middlesex � #240 [also 192] Adderley Hall, Adderley, Market Drayton, Shropshire � 10/46 240 [also 285] Hawkstone Park Camp, Weston, Shrewsbury, Shropshire � 3/48 – 5/48 241 [also 195] Merevale Hall Camp, Atherstone, Warwickshire � 3/46 – 4/46 #244? North Cave Camp, Station Road, Brough, Yorkshire � #244 [also 159 & 163] Butterwick Camp, Weaverthorpe, Malton, Yorkshire � #244 & 245 Butcher Hill Camp, Horsforth, Leeds � #245 Weston Lane Camp, Otley, Yorkshire � 246 Basildon House Camp, Pangbourne, Reading, Berkshire � 2/46 #246 North Camp (Working Men’s Club), Nettlebed, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon � #246 Longworth? Camp Basildon, Essex ?247 Scriven Hall Satellite Camp, Knaresborough, Yorkshire � 5/47 247 [also 178] Ure Bank Camp, Ripon, Yorkshire � 5/46 - 8/47 248 Nether Heage Camp, Heage, Derby � 11/47 248 New Drill Hall Camp, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Derbyshire � 5/46 – 8/46 248 Norton Camp, Cinderhill Lane, Norton, Sheffield � 5/46 – 2/47 (see below)

#248 Nether Heage Camp, Belper, Derby � 11/47 #249 [also 181] Carburton Camp, Worksop, Nottinghamshire � ?/47 250 [also 83] Eden Camp [now museum], Old Malton, Malton, Yorkshire � 8/46 – 11/47 250 Elmswell Camp [west of Driffield] c/o Eden Camp, Old Malton, Malton, Yorkshire � 8/46 - 9/46 250 Nafferton Camp [east of Driffield] c/o Bridlington, Yorkshire � 3/46 – 6/46

Fig 5

Cinderhill Lane Pow Camp #248 – POW letter sheet sent to

Heusenstamm from German Working

Company at Norton, Sheffield, on 23rd

February 1947, with 32mm camp

Interpreters Office cachet


168

#250 Thorpe Hall Camp, Rudston, Driffield, Yorkshire �

Fig 6. East Cams Pow Camp #251 - Envelope sent Post Free from camp at Portchester Road, Fareham, Hampshire, to Goslar arriving on 23rd January 1948, with 30mm fancy d/r camp post

office cachet. 251 East Cams Camp, Porchester Road, Fareham, Hampshire � 6/45 – 1/48 (see Fig 6 above). #253 Mousehold Heath Camp, Norwich � #254 Sutton Bridge Camp, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincolnshire � #255 Snettisham Scalp Camp, Snettisham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk � 2/46 256 Willingham House, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire � 3/47 - 8/47 257 Pennygillam Farm Camp, Launceston, Cornwall � 11/45 – 8/46 258 RAF Camp, Seething, Brooke, Norfolk � /?- 6/46 258 Ellough Airfield Camp, Beccles, Suffolk � 3/47 - ?/48 259 [also 35] Boughton Park Camp, Weekley, Kettering, Northamptonshire � 12/46 – 9/47 259 Little Addington Camp, Kettering, Northamptonshire � ? - 7/46 ?260 Hardwick House (s6) Camp, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk � 9/46 – 2/48 260 Hardwick Heath Camp, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk � 9/46 #261 WD Ampthill Park, Bedford � 9/47 262 RAF Camp, Langar, near Barnstone, Nottingham � - 12/46 – 8/47 263 Coleford Camp, Gloucestershire � 12/47 263 Leckhampton Court Camp, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire � ?/45 - 4/48 #264 [also 136A] Welton House Camp, Brough, Yorkshire � #264? Bellasize Camp, Gilberdyke, Brough, Yorkshire � #265 Park Farm Camp, Thorney, Peterborough � #265?? Wellingborough, Northamptonshire � ?266 Bentley Farm Hutted Camp, Old Church Hill, Langdon Hills, Laindon, Basildon, Essex � 4/46 – 7/46 #267 Mereworth Castle Camp, Mereworth, Maidstone, Kent � 267 Mereworth Satellite Working Camp, Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent � 10/46 – 2/47 268 [also 153] Norduck Farm, Aston Abbots, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire � 10/46 – 2/47


169

Fig 7. Mansion Potton Pow Camp #269 - Army Form W3494 (Revised) postcard sent to

Erlbach from working company at Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire, dated 17th February 1946, with 19mm octagon camp cachet.

269 Mansion Potton Camp, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire � 2/46 (see Fig 7 above). #269 Rotherham, Yorkshire � 270 Luton Airport Camp, Luton, Bedfordshire � Early 40 - 4/47 #271 Deopham Green Camp, Attleborough, Norfolk � 3/46 #272 Deopham Green Camp, Attleborough, Norfolk � 272 [also 151] Davenport House Satellite Camp, Worfield, Bridgnorth, Shropshire � 11/46 – 2/47 #273 Flixton Airfield Camp, Flixton, Bungay, Suffolk � 273A Debach Airfield Camp, Debach near Woodbridge, Suffolk � 6/46 - ?/47 274 Ministry of Works Camp, Oxhey Lane, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex � 2/46 275 [also 239] Claygate Camp, Thames Ditton, Surrey � 3/46 #275 Topsite Camp, Thames Ditton, Surrey � #276 Dymond’s Farm, Clyst Honiton, Exeter � 276 Niessen Creek GPWWC, Poltimore Park, Pinhoe near Exeter, Devon � 3/47 – 4/47 277 Recreation Ground Camp, South Littleton, Evesham, Worcestershire � 3/47 – 6/47 #277A Fladbury Golf Course Camp, Fladbury, Pershore, Worcestershire � 278 War Department Camp A & B, Clapham, Bedford � ?? – 3/47 #279 Yaxley Farcet Militia Camp, Yaxley, Peterborough � 279 RAF Glatton, Conington, Peterborough [built 1942/3 for US 457th Bomber Group] � 11/47 - 12/47 280 North Lynn Farm Camp, King’s Lynn, Norfolk � 7/46 - 6/47 #281 Aldborough Camp, Norwich, Norfolk � #282 Brissenden Green Camp, Ashford, Kent � 282 [also 86A] Hengherst House Camp, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent � 3/41 – 2/46 283 War Department Camp, Ledsham Hall, near Little Sutton, Wirral, Cheshire � 5/46 283 Hostel #1, Ledsham Hall Camp, near Little Sutton, Wirral, Cheshire � 11/46 285 [also 240] Hawkstone Park Satellite Camp, Weston, Shrewsbury, Shropshire � 7/46 – 11/46


170

#286 Romford Camp, Romford � 286 [also 654 & 655] Purfleet Camp, Beacon Hill, Purfleet, Essex � ? - 12/47 #287 Perdiswell Hall Camp, Bilford Road / Droitwich Road, Claines, Worcestershire � ?/45 - ?/47 [In barracks relinquished by RAF 1945, closed 1947] #288 [also 4] Gilling Camp, Hartforth Grange, Hartforth Lane, Gilling West, Richmond, Yorkshire � #290 Penketh Hostel, South Lane Farm, Barrow’s Green, Bold Heath, Widnes, Lancashire � #291 Kitty Brewster Farm Camp, Bebside, Bedlington, Northumberland � #292 [also 170] Weelsby Camp, Grimsby, Lincolnshire � #292A Kirmington Camp, Caistor, Lincoln � #292B Donna Nook Airfield Camp, Ark Road, North Somercotes, Louth, Lincolnshire � ?/44 - ?/48 294 Fisher’s Camp, Theddon Grange, Alton, Hampshire � 6/46 - 1/47 #295 Cattistock Camp, Maiden Newton, Dorchester, Dorset � 296 [also 127] Potter Hill Camp, High Green, Sheffield [error Potters] � 8/46 #296A [also 6] Racecourse Camp, Doncaster, Yorkshire � ?296 Ravenfield Park Camp, Ravenfield, Rotherham, Yorkshire � 4/46 – 6/48 #297 [also 5, 13, 58, 179 & ETO#7] The Hayes Camp, Swanwick Hayes, Derby � #298 Parkgate Camp, Neston, Wirral, Cheshire � #299 Godwin Camp, Kilnsea, Patrington, Hull � #338 New Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire � 402 Lopscombe Corner Camp, Salisbury, Wiltshire � 5/46 - 7/46 402A/6/C19, The Avenue Camp, Southampton Common, Southampton � 12/46 #403 Brockley Camp, Backwell, Bristol � 404 [also 187] Ivybridge Camp, Ivybridge, Devon � ?/? - 5/46 #405 Barwick House Camp, Yeovil, Somerset � #406 Scarne Cross Camp, Launceston, Cornwall � 407 Usselby Camp, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire � 6/46 #409 Wolterton Camp, Aylsham, Norwich � 410 [also 23] Le Marchant Working Camp, Devizes, Wiltshire � was #23 5/46 - 2/47 #411 The Wynches Camp, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire � post 6/44 412 Langdon Barracks Camp, Dover, Kent � 6/46 - 12/46 #551 Hutted Camp, Penn Street, Amersham, Buckinghamshire � #552 or 553 [also 683] Bolero Sheds Camp, Graven Hill, Bicester, Oxon � 4/44 #553 Southern Ordnance Camp, Colley Lane, Bridgewater, Somerset �?/44 – 8/45 #554 Woodfield Farm Camp, Brookfield Road, Churchdown, Gloucester � 4/44 #555 Newark House, Monks Meadow, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire � 4/44 #556 Merrieleas Camp, Park Road, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire � #556 West Bucknowle House Camp, Church Knowle, Wareham, Dorset � #556?? Black HE Camp, Arncott Depot, Bicester, Oxon � #561 Old Woodbury Hall Camp, Gamlingay, Sandy, Bedfordshire � #562 [also 681] Osterley Park Camp, Wyke Green, Isleworth, Middlesex � Opened ?/43 #563 Middleton Hall Camp, Middleton-on-the-Wolds, Driffield, Yorkshire � #564 Stretton Hall Camp, Stretton en le Field, Netherseal, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire � #564 Stable Road Camp, Barlow, Selby, Yorkshire � #565 Rufford Abbey Camp, Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire � #566 The Grove? Camp, Worth, Crawley, Sussex � #567 Mount Farm Camp [The Grove], Whitchurch, Shropshire � #567 Old Field Villa Camp, Market Street, Craven Arms, Shropshire � #568 Basing Gate Camp, Sherfield-on-Lodden, Basingstoke, Hampshire � #569 Moreby Hall Camp, Escrick, York � #569 Racecourse Bridges, York #570 Shardlow Hall Camp, Shardlow, Derby �


171

#571 Woodcote House Camp, Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent � #572 Edwinstowe Camp, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire � #574 Hitcham Park Camp, Burnham, Buckinghamshire � #575 Church Farm Camp, Marston Moreteyne, Bedford � #575 Ashton Gifford House Camp, Codford, Warminster, Wiltshire � #576 Hutted Camp, Houghton Conquest, Bedford � 8/45 #577 #70 COD, Queen’s Ferry, Deeside, Flintshire � #578 #9 Camp ESCD, Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire � #579 Marlborough Farm Camp, Radway Extension, Kineton, Warwick � #580 #5 Camp ESCD, Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire � #581 Arena Road Camp, Tidworth, Hampshire � #581 Blockston Camp, Arnscott Depot, Bicester, Oxon � #582 Sandy Warren Camp, Sandy, Bedfordshire � #583 Old Woodbury Camp, Woodbury Park, Gamlingay, Sandy, Bedfordshire � #583?? Hutted Camp, Sandy, Bedfordshire � 7/44 - 9/45 #584? Larchfield Camp, Runfold, Farnham, Surrey � #584 Carfax Estate Camp, Carfax Avenue, Tongram, Farnham, Surrey � #585 Searchlight Site Camp, Husthwaite, Easington, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, York � #586 Chard Hutted Camp, Chard, Somerset � #586 North Camp, Nettlebed, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon � #587 White Hill Camp, #43 Battery Road, Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Wiltshire � #588 Shapley Heath Camp, Winchfield, Phoenix Green, Basingstoke, Hampshire � #588 61 CAD, Grately, Andover, Hampshire � #589 Pylewell House, South Baddesley, Lymington, Hampshire � #589 Cranmer House Camp, Orips Road, Whitehill, Bordon, Hampshire � #590 Hathern Camp, Pear Tree Lane, Hathern, Loughborough, Leicestershire � #590 Barkby Camp, Barkby Lane, Syston, Leicestershire � #591 [also 626] Wilcott Camp [still army camp], Nesscliffe, Shrewsbury, Shropshire � #592 Royal Alexandra & Albert School Camp, Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey � 10/44 #594? Marsborough Farm Camp, Radnay Exterod, Kindor #595? Burstwick Camp, Burstwick,Hull � #596 IPWW Coy, Nine Yews Camp, Cranborne, Wimborne, Dorset � #597 Ashanda, West Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset � #598 Barton Grange Camp, Corfe, Taunton, Somerset � #598 Country House Hotel, Sidford, Sidmouth, Devon � #599 Puckridge Camp, Fleet Road, Aldershot, Hampshire � ?/46 #599 North Camp, Nettlebed, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon � #600 Pennings Camp, North Wiltshire #600 Blackthorn Camp, Arncott Depot, Bicester, Oxon � #601 Thomas Street Camp, Selby, Yorkshire � #602 Oswaldkirk, York � #603 Black North Camp, Arncott Depot, Bicester, Oxon � #604 Black North Camp, Arncott Depot, Bicester, Oxon � #605 Urpeth Lodge Camp, Birtley, County Durham � 4/45 #605 West Boldon Camp, Downhill Quarry, Sunderland, Co Durham � #606 Binehom near Chailey, Sussex� #607 Ickleton Grange Hutted Camp, Ickleton, Saffron Walden, Essex � #608 Royal Wanstead School, Wanstead, London E11 #609 Parkhouse Camp, Shipton Bellinger, Tidworth, Hampshire � #609 North Camp, Nettlebed, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon � #610 Old Windmills Camp, Blackthorn, Bicester, Oxon � #611 Hutted Camp, Tingewick, Buckingham � #611 Harrold Hall Camp, Harrold, Bedford �


172

#613 Blackbeck Camp, Stainton, Barnard Castle, County Durham � #613 Old Dalby Camp, Old Dalby Lane, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire � #613 [also 169] Totterton Hall Camp, Totterton, Nottingham �?? ?/46 #614 Stoneham Camp, Eastleigh, Hampshire � #615 Holmesdale Camp, Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey � #616 Barkby Camp, Barkby Lane, Barkby, Leicester � opened 42 #617 Castle Goring Camp, Worthing, Sussex � #619 [also 620 & 642] North Camp, Donnington, Wellington, Shropshire � #620 [also 619 & 642] North Camp, Donnington, Wellington, Shropshire � #621 Lower Wanborough Camp, Swindon, Wiltshire � #621 Hartigan’s Training Stables Camp, Ogbourne Maizey, Marlborough, Wiltshire � #622 Shapley House Camp, Hartley Wintney, Basingstoke, Hampshire � 623 C Hutted Camp, RAC Range, Warcop, Appleby, Westmorland � 9/44 - 3/46 623 IPWW Company o/c 208 OCTU High Legh Hall, High Legh, near Knutsford, Cheshire [error Leigh] � 5/47 #624 Ossemsley Manor Camp, New Milton, Hampshire � #624 Shiphay Hutments Camp, Torquay, Devon � #625 Mistley AA Camp, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex � #626 [also 591] Wilcott Camp, Nesscliffe, Shrewsbury, Shropshire � #627 Royal Wanstead Schools, Wanstead, London E11 #628, Sutton Park Hutted Camp, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire � #629 Broom Cottage Camp, Borough Green, Sevenoaks, Kent � #629 Mabledon Park Camp, Tonbridge, Kent � 1/45 – 4/46 #630 Kilverstone Hall Camp, Thetford, Norfolk � 1/45 #631 Seafield School, Cooden Down, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex � #631 [also 662 & 664] Stadium Camp, Catterick Camp, Yorkshire � #632 Arena Road Camp, Tidworth, Hampshire � closed early 48 632A [also 33 & 653] Old Windmills Camp, Arncott Depot, Bicester, Oxon � 2/46 632 (Detachment) Shotover House Camp, Wheatley, Oxford � 3/47 – 4/47 633 [also 656] Boughton Camp, New Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire � 6/46 #633 Haig Lines Camp, Crookham, Aldershot, Hampshire � #634 [also 1008] Alvaston Camp, Meadow Lane, Alvaston, Derby � 634 [also 635] Weston Camp, Weston-on-Trent, Derby � 11/45 - 12/45 #635 Lord Mayor’s Camp, Amble, Morpeth, Northumberland � #635 [also 634] Weston Camp, Weston-on-Trent, Derby � #636 [also 691] Cowick Camp, West Cowick, Snaith, Goole, Yorkshire � #637 Centenary Road Camp, Goole, Yorkshire � #638 [also 674] Kingsdown Hutted Camp?, Stratton Factory Camp, Swindon, Wiltshire � #639 Militia Camp, Farcet, Yaxley, Cambridgeshire � #640 Dodds Camp, Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk � #641 Oswaldkirk, York � #642 [also 619 & 620] North Camp, Donnington, Wellington, Shropshire � #643 H2 Camp, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire � #643 Dorfold Hall Camp, Nantwich, Cheshire � #644 Hutted Camp, Houghton Conquest, Bedford � 10/44 #645 Cruwys Morchard Camp, Tiverton, Devon � #645 Quarr House Camp, Sway, Lymington, Hampshire �

To Be Continued

Documents

FORCES POSTAL HISTORY SOCIETY JOURNAL …...Forces Postal History Society Journal No 299 Spring 2014 138 Contents Baltic Fleet Mail 1854: Colin Tabeart 137, 143-49 Review: KUK Feldpost