BEF mail to India

[Jim Etherington]

Can anyone confirm my assumptions regarding this cover or suggest an alternative explanation.

I assume  stamps have been applied to cover the air mail rate to India. FPO 66 was in use by the BEF at this date. Did the sender obtain the stamps at the NAAFI in France? Would the mail have gone to India via Home Depot or direct from France? There is an India receiving office cancel on the reverse dated 4 APR 40

Jim Etherington

[Khalid Omaira]

Hi Jim,

As regards the postage rate, yes. 1s3d. was the air mail rate per a half ounce.

I am not really sure about the route of the cover!

Regards,
Khalid

[Jim Etherington]

Thanks Khalid,
That's one assumption confirmed.
Best wishes
Jim

[Ingo Egerlandt]

Jim,

interresting is, the postage rate. I have got two fieldpost items with FPO 40 from 8th November 1939 and FPO 33 B from 9th November 1939 to India without postage rate. I think, it is free.

These post comes from Unit -Force K 6-. The soldiers send later back to India, because the soldiers can´t be health in northern France in wintertime. The unit transport horses from the BEF, and stand under 1 LoC command.

Ingo

[Jim Etherington]

Thanks for the information Ingo.
While surface mail was free, I think perhaps postage had to be paid for air mail.
Jim

[Ingo Egerlandt]

Jim, the India troops was back in England at this time. From France was postage free. Later, air Mail rate was ok!
Ingo