FPO 849 Post-WW2

[Michael Dobbs]

I have received the following enquiry:

[color=maroon]I am interested in forces mail British Borneo from 1945, recently acquired a couple of Airmail covers FPO 849 Feb. & Jy 1952 franked with GB stamps,said to be from Sarawak were they - and if so who?[/color]

I do not have any record of FPO 849 in use after 1947/48 period (1944-47 used by the Canadians and 1948 thought to be BAOR).

Not listed by Ransom in his draft publication "A GUIDE TO IDENTIFYING POSTMARKS USED BY THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES BETWEEN 1952 AND 2012"
Not listed after 1945 by Proud in his "History of British Army Postal Service Vol III 1927-1963"
Not listed by Entwistle in his "The British Army Post Office in Conflict & Crisis Situations 1946-1982"

Any suggestions?

I have asked for scans of the two covers to verify the number and dates.

Mike  :-\

[Peter Harvey]

Hi Mike,

There were two covers on eBay (France) recently advertised as Sarawak FPO 849 but they were clearly 949 with the address on reverse Norfolk Regiment BAPO 5, so Japan.

I tried to copy them, but the images were poor, this link might work? https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Great-Britain-lot-of-2-1952-airmail-covers-with-FPO-849-Sarawak-cancel/202801405085?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160323102634%26meid%3Ddbd7da5e96424330bfd0fd6a94d58a78%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D254392280516%26itm%3D202801405085%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

Might have been these?

[Nick Colley]

Well, the postmarks on the items which you've brought to our attention, Pete, are attached.

Did we have any forces in Borneo/Sarawak in 1952? Was there a reason for us to deploy forces there?

Whether these are the covers in question or not, personally, I'm not confident with with an 849 i/d - or a Sarawak attribution.

chrs
N

[Michael Dobbs]

Peter

Many thanks for your reply - I wasn't expecting such a quick response!  :)
These are clearly the same covers and the details on the reverse (J Reinforcement Base Depot and the address BAPO 5) clearly show they are Japan and nothing to do with Sarawak.  I have informed the person making the enquiry accordingly.

Once again many thanks - shows how good this forum is.

Mike  :)

[Peter Harvey]

Hi Mike,

No problems at all. Yes it is great to see the forum getting used and it should be a great selling point for the society, especially with the Officers supporting it. I also like to think that any Q&A from others (non-members) only goes to prove what a great society the FPHS is.

Pete