About twelve days ago we had a query on a Naval Mark, this was quickly sorted out by Tony Walker as HMS Warspite

The attached printed envelope addressed to Brighton, is most unusual
It has a machine postmark (possibly London) which has missed the stamp. dated early in the war on NOV 3 14, about this time the fancy ships cancels started appearing, mostly mute crosses, made I think from potato cuts
A KGV halfpenny stamp has been missed, the fact this rate on an envelope suggests it is a printed paper rate, when they had to leave the envelope open for inspection at the post office, the flap has not been stuck down
BUT WHY WOULD A POSTMAN CANCEL THE MISSED STAMP WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE A BROOCH, IT IS NOT ROUGH CUT
Any observations or comments welcome

Frank Schofield

Lieut Robert C.M. Douthwaite of the 8th York & Lancaster Regiment, died on 19th June 1919, cause not stated, possibly flu?. Attached are two photographs of his funeral on 21st June 1919. The 8th York & Lancaster Regt were sent to Fiume, Yugoslavia, because the Italian forces were unable to control the locals. The situation was quickly sorted after their arrival.

Frank Schofield

In the 1st Edition his WW1 book, Proud illustrates an APO P.P.1. type C (type D3 in 2nd Ed) he states that this type C was only used later on the Western Front 1918-19
Attached is a obviously philatelic cover showing the datestamp was used earlier in Italy
In his 2nd Ed Proud changed his reference numbers i.e. types A B C became D1 D2 D3, which means I would have to rewrite 95% of my collection, now I only use the new system on previously unlisted datestamps

Frank Schofield

When the 5 British Divisions arrived in Italy in November 1917, a General Headquarters was set up in,
Pavia (for 24 hours) then Mantua (4 days) then Padua (16 days). A temporary datestamp was issued but no identity slugs were available, the blank datestamp was used possibly for less than 4 weeks.
Because in was blank it tended to be ignored by collectors and dealers, but if on an Italian postcard dated November/ Early December 1917, there is a good chance it is from GHQ. A temporary GQ datestamp came into use on 9th December 1917.

Frank Schofield

A follow up to Chris Grimshaw's excellent article in the current FPHS Journal on the British Adriatic Mission, he shows two postcards from a Sgt. E. Peverett of the Royal Engineers, Members may like to know how Sgt Peverett returned or remained in Italy for the rest of the war. There is a sad ending to the story.

Frank Schofield

At the beginning of WW1 Italy  remained  neutral, but under pressure from Britain & France. They declared  war on Austria on 23rd May 1915. A British Military Mission was set up in Rome under the command of Colonel (acting Brigadier) C. Delme Radcliffe.
The only item from this mission I have come across in over 30 years is attached. On a cover addressed to Sussex postmarked 3rd August 1915, identified in the form a backstamp in Italian postage of 25c had to be paid

Frank Schofield

In his recent post on a RNAS officer by Tony Walker, the name of HMS Natal is mentioned regarding her loss
I have three items from the ship, two are postcards from a Leading Stoker Walter Young, one to  his sister the other to his mother.
The third a cover addressed to Rye, Sussex, censored by the ships chaplain, who also lost his life when HMS Natal blew up in Cromarty Firth in December 1915.

Frank Schofield

The only oval registration datestamp used in Italy, was located at Army Post Office L.1. at the main base at Arquata, just north of Genoa.
The attached cover originated at Army Post Office S.100, at Taranto, on 30th June 1918, there appears to be an error because the date on the registered label has been crossed out in blue crayon, there also a large letter 'P' in blue, possibly the postal clerks initial applied.
The printed 2d stamp is postmarked 1st July 1918
The cover has travelled north and arrived at the main base, and backstamped with the oval datestamp on 3rd July 1918, the backstamp is slightly smudged with bottom of the 'L'  unclear. This is the only copy I have seen in over 30 years of collecting this subject.
The cover arrived in London on 8th July on it's way to Dover.

Frank Schofield

Just come across an Army rank I have never seen before

(P & L) Private.  In the Royal Army Service Corps

Any ideas??

Frank Schofield

Attached is a memorial card to an officer,  Sub/Lieut Joseph Sandbach, Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, who died on Gallipoli on 20th July 1915

Frank Schofield

The main base for the British Army in Italy  was set up in Arquata, just north of Genoa, in November 1917, a large skeleton APO S.101 came into use, known used from the 9th of November.
For some unknown reason a temporary APO L 1 came into use for 3 days only on 8th, 9th and 10th December 1917
On the 11th of December a distinctive double ring APO S. 101 came into use, this was replaced by a normal APO L.1 in June 1918.
Examples of the temporary datestamp are attached

Frank Schofield

In March 1918 it was decided to change the shape of the censor mark used by the British Army in Italy, from the oblong (CM6) used on the Western Front to a new distinctive shield mark (CM8).
Attached is an example of the change, written and censored by Major General J.M. Babington, the Divisional Commander of the 23rd Division.
He has crossed out and initialled the oblong (CM6 No. 768)  and the new shield censor (CM8 No. 477) applied, also present is the double ring Field Post Office D.23 (23rd Division Headquarters) dated 19th April 1918, about two days after the new mark came into use.

Frank Schofield

The British Adriatic Mission was the second mission sent to Italy, the first set up in Rome in 1915 after Italy declared War.
The second was set up to supply arms to the Serbs.
On 1st December 1915 Brig. General F.P.S. Taylor established his HQ in Rome.  FPO W.1. was used at this location until the Mission was closed in April 1916.
Supplies were despatched from Brindisi, BAPO W, was used from January 1916 until April 1916.
The British Adriatic Mission was only operated for 5 months

Frank Schofield

A printed letter from Lt. Col R.N. O'Conner, Commanding the 2nd/1st Battalion of the Honourable Artillery Company (who fought as infantry in WW1), explaining the reason for an award of a medallion from the Italian Government to members of the Battalion.
During the crossing of the Piave in October 1918, the Battalion was involved in the capture of the Grave di Papadopoli, the medallion award to a non-Italian unit is unique.
The medallion is not worn as a decoration, but is purely a memento.
The King of Italy awarded the Battalion a Bronze Medal, all members of the Battalion were presented with the Medallion.
I have tried for several years (before lockdown) to find a copy of the Medallion, attending Military and Medal Fairs, but have had no luck, most dealers have never come across one.
Frank Schofield

On a postcard with a view of Bordighera, on the southern railway route into Italy, just across the border from France. From the Unit Superintendent of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, Annie Florence Starkey writes, "I have put a cross on the Villa & another showing where about this house is". The crosses show up very faint on the picture side of the card, I have added two arrows to help. Postmarked Army Post Office L. 7, (located Bordighera) on 7th November 1918.
Signed A.F. Starkey, 62nd General Hospital, the card was censored by Lieut, W.R. Coates of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Miss Starkey from Fairford in Gloucester, was 47 at the time of her engagement and served in Italy from 30th September 1918 until 27th May 1919.
V.A.D. volunteers were civilians, usually upper crust ladies, who worked in military hospitals, they were not trained nurses, but proved very useful at times when the heavy casualties began arriving.

Frank Schofield

The 41st Division arrived in Italy on 16th November 1917 (1 of 5 Divisions sent) they were retuned to the Western Front on 1st March 1918, spending just over three months in Italy, Mail from this Division is not common.
Two postcards with views of Genoa and Sampierdarena from the same writer and postmarked FPO 91 on the same day, FPO 91 was used by 124 Brigade during Security Period IV, it reverted back to 91 Brigade, 7th Division in Italy in April 1918.
The censoring Officer F.A. Bushy?? is not listed in the January 1918 Army List

Frank Schofield

While checking a postcard from my previous post on HMS "Warspite" I came across the attached
An extract from a book "Forgotten Voices of the Second  World War" by Max Arthur.
I can only think the Leading Seaman was on a different warship on the "Pedestal Convoy" and saw the "Eagle" going down and not "Warspite"
or did he have the best eyesight in the Royal Navy?

Frank Schofield

On a RP postcard of HMS Warspite, addressed to Bromley, Kent, the message is headed HMS "Hartington", Devonport Dkyd, 18th Oct 1937.
Problem:  I cannot find this ship in any of my reference books.

Unlisted in Ships of the Royal Navy (Colledge & Warlow)
Unlisted in Vol 2 Ships of the Royal Navy (Colledge)
Unlisted Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy (Warlow)
Unlisted in June 1937 Navy List
The internet only comes up with a HMS Dartington, but the heading is definitely a 'H'
All I can think is that her name was possibly changed after launching at Devonport Dockyard, but College usually lists any name changes.
Over to you.

Frank Schofield

Another recent arrival, on an Austrian children's colourful postcard addressed to a youngster in Parsons Green, London, postmarked Field Post Office F.D.2 (located Verona) on 13th December 1918. The unit censor (CM8) No. 430 is present.

After the Armistice in November 1918, the 2nd/1st Honourable Artillery Company (who fought as infantry In WW1) of the 22nd Brigade, 7th  Division, were sent on 28th November 1918 to Imst in Austria as a token Occupation Force, they remained there until 3rd March 1919, then relieved by the 22nd Manchester Regiment, they were withdrawn in April 1919 after about 6 weeks

Frank Schofield

Owing to the lockdown very few WW1 British Army in Italy items arriving, but this card from June 1917 was one of the better items

Early in 1917 the Italians requested the loan of Heavy Artillery, in April 1917, 10 Batteries of 6 inch howitzers were sent out, and before the FPO 1LL datestamp came into use in late June 1917, the Italian Army postal system was used.

The attached card from a Capt in the RAMC postmarked  5th June 1917, addressed to Watford, Herts, signed sincerely HGH, is probably to an Aunt?, shows the normal Italian markings

Frank Schofield