Hi All, I have an up coming exhibition (in New Zealand) that I am judging at and one of the entries is covering German troops in and Pre - Post Boxer rebellion.

Exhibit covers pre 1900 through to around 1906. There are a couple of references on the exhibit but I do not have access to these in NZ. My question is are there any PDF resources that are available that will help to inform me of the period for German postal routes, rates and markings?

I think that Michael Dobbs is my helper here if possible.

Attached is a 1970 5d (First Class rate up to 4oz) with BFPO commerative cancel that I have seen on many a VC NAM cover. However what I am actually interested is the BFPO machine cancel off to the right ?

My questions are:

1. Why a machine cancel - is it becuase the stamp and hand cancel are on the left and not right
2. Why is the cancel 5 days later
3. What is the provanance of the machine cancel

Regards Paul

I am trying to locate a location and ship from a letter that was sent from Charles Lygon Cocks to his sister Henrietta Maria Cocks as shown.

The letter is rated 6d with a manuscript cancel. Forces land rate at the time until September 1856 was 3d for officers and 1d for enlisted men.

My research on Charles has the following quick history of his movement to and from and in the Crimea.
Of the two brothers Charles and Taff Cocks, Charles was the first to leave when, on 22 February 1854, he marched out from Chichester with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards to embark on the steamship Orinoco at Southampton. He was then a Major.

While in the Crimea in July 1854 he received his company without purchase, being promoted to Lt. Col and returned to the UK to local duties much to his displeasure.

In May 1855 Charles arrives back in the Crimea with reinforcements of the 2nd Coldstream Guards.

He often entertained  Captain Wilson of the Orinoco with whom he dined or whom he entertained whenever his ship was in Balaclava. This is the ship that he first came to the crimea on in 1854.

The hostilities against Russia at last ended in March 1856 with the signing of an Armistice. Gradually troops were withdrawn. At the end of the month Charles Cocks managed a sightseeing trip to Kertch in HMS Medusa through knowing her Captain.

On the 4 June 1856 the Coldstream finally embarked on board HMS Agamemnon and in just over three weeks they were home in Aldershot.

My question is what is the time / location and ship name. Does the "SHIP LETTER" marking provide any assistance ?

Regards Paul