Thanks Mike.

I attach 2 scans of a WW2 cover, recently purchased, which I believe may have been from a navy ship, visiting Bombay. Can any member help me with the location of the a.200 censor marker and the POSTAGE FREE cachet on the front of the cover. Also, I believe the B post marker on the reverse of the cover may have been used in Bombay, as I have seen it before on covers from naval sources. Hope members can assist.

This is a very interesting subject. Can I make a further suggestion of where this cover may have originated As an example has been recorded with the South African Paquebot cancel and it is believed to be of Canadian sources and R4/20 has been observed used in Ceylon, may I suggest that this cover may have come from the Canadian Anti Submarine Squadron active in the northern area of the Indian Ocean, and posted from one of the more remote air bases, and handed to the supply boat or passing plane. This could be a reason for the scarcity of the censor marker. Most probably wrong but you never know.

Interesting cover, surely the question is now, why was a letter sent to the Red Cross in Switzerland, routed through South Africa. Interestingly as well is that it did not receive any "treatment" from the German authorities as well.

Thank Nick, I note that your cover has no sender on reverse. Mine has H Johnston on the reverse with no service number. All very interesting.

I attach a scan of a cover just purchased which is post marked somewhere in Senegal in 1943. Censored using n.109 censor marker on 9 May, 1943. Can any of the naval experts inform me if there was a Royal Navy presence in Senegal in 1943. The only clue I have to the sender is H Johnson written on the reverse.

Thank you for that information, Neil. I thought that is what it may be. I have covers fr0m some of those squadrons with KUT stamps and APO's used, which isn't surprising I suppose as part of the squadron/s were stationed at Port Reitz.

I note with interest that there was a seaplane base established at East Point on Diego Garcia from 1942 to 1946 in WW2. I also have heard that there were Mauritian coastal gunners as well. Can members tell me if military postal facilities were on the island and has any member ever seen any military mail from there.

I attach a scan of the rear of a cover from FPO 120 in Palestine to Egypt, censored upon arrival in Egypt by Base Censor. My enquiry is, what was the usage of the circular 3 stamp. I believe it was applied in Egypt and believe at least numbers up to 124 were used. WAs it a way of identifying the Base Censor? Hoping members can assist.

Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter. Very helpful indeed. I had heard of Quassussin previously but  really didn't take much notice of it. However, after looking up my Prouds "History of the South African Army Postal Service" I note that APO 3 & 7, attached to 1st SA Division were stationed there for a short period prior to there repatriation home in 1942-43. Also the sight of 106 (SA) General Hospital in 1944.

Thanks Mike, don't know how I made that mistake. Must have been the lack of sleep the night previous.

I attach a scan of a cover post marked at FPO 291 on 29 December, 1941. The book I use only says that it was in the Middle East from 1941 to 1943. Censored using a.500 2461. As the cover is addressed to Northern Rhodesia I was wondering if the post office was used by African pioneer forces. Can any member enlighten me.

Iattach 2 scans of a recent purchase, an air letter post marked at FPO 148 on 14 September, 1944. As in the return address it apparently has been sent from a British service man attached to 666 Company, East African Army Service Corp. (Gen. Transport).My 2 queries are, would I be right in assuming He was a British Serviceman seconded to the EAASC and what does the T prefix on the service number denote?

I believe that mails from troopships is an area that has not been researched very much, especially some of the army censor marks.

Thanks Peter, I've got a letter to Captain Smith in Harar in my collection. I'll have a word with Jamie about it.