My "First Day Cover" of the day

[Frank Schofield]

Can I claim the attached as a First Day cover?
After all it was postmarked in London 3rd September 1939.

The cover addressed to Edinburgh was written by Captain D.J.R Simson of HMS Codrington, signed and censored by him top left.
There is a manuscript note, HMS Codrington at Sea 1.9.39 (censored two days before the declaration of WWII by the British).
In February 1940 he was appointed Captain 'D' on HMS Keith (Destroyer). On 23rd May 1940 he took HMS Keith into Boulogne Harbour to evacuate stranded British troops, the ship came under fire from German ground troops, and he was caught in a burst of machine gun fire and lost his life
He is remembered on the Chatham War Memorial, and has no known grave, which suggests he was buried at sea on  the way back to England.

Frank Schofield

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Frank

Great cover and write up,  thanks for sharing with us  A very moving item.

Chris