My attempts to find details about the service history of this Hospital Ship have proved to be anything but fruitful :
Her period of service was from 25.7.16 to 1.1.18, with a capacity of 254 patients. That's it !
I have a German PPC of a semi-derelict building in German East Africa, and on the message side a full but faint double oval cachet H.M.HOSPITAL SHIP / 15 JUL 1917 / HEREFORDSHIRE addressed to a Miss Rolfe at Chevely near Newmarket. The message is family orientated. It has not been censored.
Any further details would be welcome
Cheers
Tony
Details about HMHS Herefordshire do seem sparse. I have two postcards written in her; 14 Sep 16 at Alexandria & 32 Oct 16 (yes 32; probably should be 22) at Salonika. Both have double oval cachet.
Other details I have gleaned: Built 1905 for Bibby Line. 7,200tons. Requisitioned at beginning of war as troopship; during this time used straight-line named cachet. This was used in the early days as a hospital ship. Hosp ship from 25 Jul 16 to 1(?) Jan 18. 380 beds.
Firebrace states Jan 17 : sailed between Salonika & Malta. 4 Feb 18 attacked by submarine in the Mediterranean; torpedo missed. Sep 16: sailed between Alexandria, Salonika, Malta & England until Dec.
Gould lists cachet on p198 (1st vol)
That's all I have I'm afraid.
Regards, Peter
Thanks Peter, and for the email
Cheers
Tony