COVER OF THE DAY 26 APRIL, EAST AFRICA WW1

[Ross Debenham]

I attach scans of a "on active service" cover sent from Tanga in German East Africa to" London dated 21 March, 1918. Tanga had been captured by the allies  under General Smuts, in 1916 following a disaster in 1914 in the so called "Battle of the Bees". There is no field post office marker impressed on the cover, although there are post markers of Tanga, Voi and Mombasa on the rear. According to Wiki by this time local east african troops only were only being used in GEA pursuing Von Lettow, as South African and Indian troops had been withdrawn. Questions are why wasn't a FPO used and can anybody identify the signature of the person sending to letter.

[Alan Baker]

FWR/Ancestry - George John Williams Keigwin, Lt later Capt, RAMC. His medal card gives his address as Medical Officer, Civil Administration, Tanga. Also an address in Kent

He was also in South Africa during the Second Boer War

[Ross Debenham]

Thanks Alan for that very interesting information.