top of page

All Posts

View posts from all forums


This post is from a suggested group

RCAF Franking Stamps WWII

The first item below is a replica of a RCAF Franking Stamp shown in Douglas Sayles' 2011 The BNAPS Catalogue of Canadian Military Mail Markings, Volume 2 The World War 2 Era 1936-1945. The second stamp appeared recently on eBay and differs from the first by the initials "KS" on either side of the crown.


High Johnson suggests that "KS" could mean "King's Service". This seems logical, but I would like to find a source to back it up. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Mike Street

ree

ree

77 Views

Mike,


Sorry, can't help.


Mick Carter

This post is from a suggested group

L.O. on censored cover from Egypt WW1

Hello, does anyone happen to know what the marking "L.O." stands for and who applied it? seen on two covers from Egypt to Switzerland (to different receivers) in 1917.


best regards, Peter


ree

71 Views

This post is from a suggested group

Canadian Military Abbreviations WWII

Useful if you, like me, are puzzled by some abbreviations used


Military abbreviations used in service files - Canada.ca

104 Views

Alan - thanks for bringing this to our attention, it looks an extremley useful site.

Mike

This post is from a suggested group

Canadian Army Abbreviations WWII


ree

I am attaching scans of a cover addressed to Scotland. The front bears the stamp (Barely legible) of FPO 248 dated Jan 9 1943. This was used by Canadian Reinforcement Units , Whitley from 1940. The British 3d stamp was issued in November 1941.


The address on the reverse is from M29607 Sgt Ironside W M, from 810CD - MD13. There are a number of suggestions for "CD" of which Canada Draft look a good fit and MD13 is from Military District 13, Alberta.


Was 810 the number of the draft and was Sgt Ironside part of that draft?

Any ideas?

ree
70 Views

Alan - sorry I cannot help. I haven't come across anything like this before.

Mike

This post is from a suggested group

Under what authority was free post authorised in WW1 & WW2

I have received the following enquiry:

Subject: OAS (On Active Service) - I seek formal notice of this service from both WWI period and at the begining of WWII. Also any info ex GPO etc. Searching Falkland Islands Privilege mail services which include mail sent usually to GB by virtue of the free OAS service. Need formal date from GPO, Army or ... Can you help me?


102 Views

Michael,

I think the attached letter, published in The Rock, journal of the Gibraltar Study and found in the Post Office Archives in Gibraltar, should answer your question.

Regards,

Stan


This post is from a suggested group

Telegram from an RAF Pilot - but from where?

I have received the following enquiry:

The Postal Museum Archives suggested that I should contact you as they were unable to help. I wonder if you can help me solve a family mystery. In May 1943 my (now late) mother was living near Woodford in Essex and received a birthday telegram which we think was from her fiance who was a WW2 RAF pilot who died in the war. (It was saying he was sorry he couldn't be there and he would see her ASAP). As you may know, at that time civilian telegrams began by stating the place where they were sent from and they were postmarked with the place that received them. This telegram starts with the reference (Prefix 296) PE/T 22, finishing with the reference CT PE/T 31 and appears to be postmarked HANDEL. Have you a list which might say which RAF base that (code PE)…

89 Views
Michael Dobbs
Michael Dobbs
7 days ago

Sorry for the delay in downloading a copy of the telegram - too busy with other aspects of the Society and hobby! Now attached.


James A. Mackay published a book in 1981 "Telegraphic Codes of the British Isles 1870-1924" but these were largely three letter codes. There are two letter codes before each three letter series and PE is shown as Peterborough. He also refers to the SKE code as relating to RAF East Kirkby. However, Mackay's book shows it to be Skegness - both in Lincolnshire. It could be that telegrams from RAF East Kirkby were handled by the GPO at Skegness, but I would have thought Spilsby as it is closer.


ree

Bewerkt

This post is from a suggested group

C&R School, MEF

I am attaching a scan of an air mail cover from Ottawa in 1942 addressed to a Canadian pilot officer at the C&R School, MEF. It was redirected to 145 Squadron.


What was the C&R School and where was it located?


ree

110 Views
scapabaker
13 sep

Many thanks for all your comments. I think it is clear that this school was in the Middle East

This post is from a suggested group

London Passenger Transport Board

I am attaching a scan of a cover addressed to the Pay Rolls Officer, LPTB, which I identify as per the title.

The franking is FPO 640, which I believe is a Canadian mark for the Lines of Communication Postal Unit, previously for the 2nd Canadian Corps in NW Europe.

My question is why would a Canadian (presumably) soldier be writing to this addressee?

ree

115 Views
Geoff Hanney
07 sep

It is possible the person was attached to one of the allied contingents attached to the Canadian Army in Northern France.

I know the following units were attached to the Canadian in and around November 1944.

1st Polish Armoured Division, August 1944-May 1945

1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade, October–November 1944

51st (Highland) Infantry Division, August 1944 (Not sure when it transferred to 30 Corps in late 1944, but possible before November)

This post is from a suggested group

Tony WalkerTony Walker
Tony Walker

WW! Censored Purser

I've searched Michael Gould's two volumes for the censor mark shown on the cover herewith, to no avail


It has CENSORED / PURSER and an indecipherable facsimile signature.

Additionally there is a PAQUEBOT handstamp.

It is cancelled with a dr cds LONDON4 MR 18 with what looks like E S 62 at the base.

On the reverse of the envelope is the embossed UNION-CASTLE LINE over their flag emblem.


ree
94 Views

Tony

A list of union castle ships requisitioned is available on the internet most are hospital ships (the castle series), troop ships or AMCs, the latter 2 typically have purser censorship.

Hospital ships usually have a Medical officer as censor

Experts in paquebot markings may be able to identify the port of landing then its checking the ship's logs at Greenwich to see which fits

I believe ES62 was a London postcode abolished 1935 not sure where


© 2025 Forces Postal History Society

bottom of page