Have in the collection a copy of Northern Command N26 dated 31 May 1942 (scan attached).  Proud lists the mark as used in Northern Territory without any specific place of use, but from the period of circa 11 February 1943 to circa 12 June 1943.  Stobbs has no dates attributed at all and Collas suggests usage in New Guinea in 1943 with, again, no further details known.

As my cover is the best part of a year earlier than the "Proud period" has anyone any details of this early use - especially where?

As before, any information gratefully received.

Have in my collection two copies of the Northern Command N/8 mark dated 17 June 1942 and 9 September 1943 with variations in size, layout and typeface - scans attached.  Proud details usage as at Noonamah NT during the period circa 11 July 1943 to circa 28 February 1944 with an illustration of the later form of cancel (Collas has similar details).  Stobbs gives a longer period of use - 17 June 1942 finishing 28 September 1944 (but with no illustrations).

Can anyone shed further light on the earlier form of the N/8 cancel?  Any further information gratefully received.

Ross

Thanks for your information.  You have reinforced our thoughts on this item.

Again many thanks,

Malcolm

Hi Chris,

Many thanks for your input -  I was working on the basis that it was a truncated 'CANCELLED' rubber stamp.

As you suggest it still seems to be very "non-forces" for what is apparently forces mail,

Again many thanks,

Malcolm.

I have been asked about the following cover, scan of obverse attached, reverse has no marks at all.  There is a pencil notation of "Cancelled Darwin H/S" presumably added by a dealer/collector.  The postage is correct for a Forces Concession plus internal airmail supplement.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the use of a single line 'CANCEL***' in the Darwin area?  Could it have been an 'emergency' use during the 1942/3 Japanese air raid period?

As to the censor mark I have a further use of 1356, but with a different signature, used in early October '43 on a cover with cancellation of Unit Postal Station S77.  Proud gives no specific location other than 2Bde in Northern Territories during the period 1st December 1942 to 4th October 1943.

Any help, assistance, information, observations, very gratefully received.