Items of the Day 30 May: FPO 61 in Cyprus

[Michael Dobbs]

A selection of official mail 1976-77 from British Forces in Cyprus, all postmarked FPO 61 and all showing unit cachets or datestamps.  The first sheet shows pieces of official mail whilst the second sheet has two complete covers.

FPO 61 was located at Dhekelia at FPO S.258.  The Forces postal address for Cyprus was BFPO 53 but on 1 July 1976 the country was split into several BFPO areas as follows:

Defence Council Instruction (General) Standing S31/76 dated 27 February 1976
[The National Archives DEFE73/32]

"1.  An additional two BFPO indicator numbers are to be taken into use by British Forces stationed in Cyprus.  The new numbers reflect the geographical dispersal of bases on the island, and will assist in the provision of a more efficient postal service.

2.  All official correspondence for units, and official private correspondence for personnel serving in Cyprus is to be addressed as follows as from 1st July 1976:

BFPO 53 - Episkopi (No change)
BFPO 57 - Akrotiri
BFPO 58 - Dhekelia
BFPO 567 - UNFICYP (No change)

3.  For an interim period after the introduction of the new BFPO numbers, correspondence destined for AKROTIRI and DHEKELIA and still addressed to BFPO 53 will be redirected automatically."


Mike  :)

[Chris Weddell]

Mike,

      Do you have anymore covers from FPO 61?

                            Chris

[Michael Dobbs]

Chris - I do indeed have two more FPO 61 covers!

The first of these is dated 20 DE 73 from the Directorate of Army Legal Services in Cyprus and the second one is dated 18 NO 74 - it is interesting in that the sender is with 275 Postal & Courier Communications Unit RE which were responsible for the provision of postal and courier services in Cyprus.

Enjoy!

Mike  :)