Military Mail

07/10/2026

Came across these covers in an old lot purchased a few years back, some interesting research. Senders address:

758090 F/Sgt J H Richardson
F.U.S A 6895
RAF
C/O APO 1810
(signed to the reverse as censored)

Cover 1 Machine (diamond) to reverse RAF CENSOR 130 (FPHS R5 - records convoy use via South Africa).

Cover 2 Machine red London Official Paid & Army Censor cachet PASSED BY CENSOR No. 3381

Cover 3 faint front cachet .......Official Free Durban.....

F/Sgt John Heaton Richardson served with 607 (Hurricane) Sqn RAF the Sqn sailed to India in October 1941 on the RMS Scythia, these covers are likely from that troop convoy.

John Richardson had previously served with 43 Sqn and survived a crash landing in a hurricane. He was posted to 607 Sqn later that year.

In December 1942 while flying a Hawker Hurricane over Jessore Burma, his aircraft was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He survived the crash-landing but was captured.

He spent over two years in captivity and sadly died as a Prisoner of War on December 26, 1944

04/10/2026

Another of these lovely illustrated air letter used by British troops in WW2 - the majority you see are from India, with some great illustrations of tigers and elephants. Military collector, air mail collector, stationery collector, thematic collector, it has it all.

04/10/2026

East African APO 69 on this lovely illustrated Air Letter from Gilgil Kenya

02/10/2026

Censored, Military, Wartime, Redirected, Returned, Field Post, Prisoner of War. Why not come and have a look around, we have some great stock at www.militarymail.co.uk

01/10/2026

British Field Post Office 596 Diego Suarez Madagascar.
In 1942, the British Army and Allied forces executed a full-scale amphibious invasion of Madagascar, known as the Battle of Madagascar. The primary goal was to seize the strategic island from the control of Vichy France, preventing its vital deep-water ports from being used by the Imperial Japanese Navy to threaten Allied shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. FPO 592 was established in Diego Suarez and remained as a Base APO, whilst other FPO along with East African APO's served troops in the front lines. Use was limited to 6 months, when control of Madagascar was handed over to the Free French.

30/09/2026

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/themilitarymailman

We need space.... so a big clear out of stock is underway, with thousands of military and wartime covers starting at £2.49 on eBay over the coming months, along with our normal stock. Why not check them out.

Welcome to my eBay shop. I am a specialist dealer in wartime and military postal history and letters, you will see material which includes censored mail, military post, military and wartime postal stationary, V mail and airgraphs and much much more. Please buy with confidence, I have been a dealer/....

28/09/2026

Another new item at www.militarymail.co.uk 1915 superb stationery from the 27th Motor Machine Gun Company (the forerunner of the tank) - letter mentions kit for overseas service. Watch out of more new items over the coming week.

28/09/2026

The Buddon Camp post office operated as a seasonal office under the Carnoustie town Post Office to serve the volunteer and territorial military training camp annually. First recorded 10 July 1893 - this card pre-dates that by one day, with the year slug error, an additional 0 - so 093 for 1893.

28/09/2026

New on www.militarymail.co.uk today, Japan stamps on cover endorsed 'Forces Air Mail' sent to Exeter cancelled KOBE date stamp 26 5 30 (May 30, 1951).

To reverse shows this is a stationery cover for the B.I.S.N Co. Ltd - British Indian Steam Navigation Company, with the sender details (Lt Hann or Ham) South Staffords, B.A.P.O No.1.

Base Army Post Office No.1 would be the address for British Forces in Hong Kong. In mid 1951 the South Staffordshire Regiment were withdrawing from Garrison duties in Hong Kong, back to the U.K. The majority of the regiment appears to have travelled on H.M.T Empire Brent, but this is not a B.I.S.N Co ship. This could be a rear party travelling via Kobe)

24/09/2026

What do trade embargoes have to do with postal history? During WW2 there were many trade embargoes with the aim of preventing Allied countries and companies selling goods to the enemy, such as steel, weapons, oil and even food. All of these items were in short supply or needed for the war effort. Many neutral countries had small companies sending food parcels to countries like Germany. Embargoes were placed on those companies and in the U.S details were published in the Federal Register. This card is addressed to 39 Rua dos Fanqueiros in Portugal from Weimar in Germany with a message thanking for food and coffee received. This same address is listed in the Federal Register February 1942.