Proving FPO HC3 was used in Italy

[Frank Schofield]

Neither Proud or Kennedy & Crabb record the use of Field Post Office HC3 as being used in Italy
I believe it was only in use for a short  time in March 1918, used by XI Corps Headquarters
The attached Italian postcard of Venice, postmarked 17th March 1918, go's a long way in proving my theory
also the CM6 censor mark No. 1776 is recorded used at the XI Corps HQ bearing the FPO H.11 datestamp, which is known used in Italy, Proud records this in use up to 10th March 1918.

Frank Schofield

[Alan Baker]

From AK's index cards, CM6/1776:

H5 - 20/01/1918 - Italy (H11)
H18 - 16/12/1918 - France - not sure about this one

In addition from his ledger:
H5 - 28/02/1918 - France? If in Italy from 12/1917 - 03/1918 this must be wrong. Used by H11 in phase IV - to 31/01/1918
H11 - 02/03/1919, 08/03/1919 - France
HC3 - 19/03/1918, 21/05/1918 - used by H11 at this time (Proud - exchange phase 5) - Italy to 10/03/1918, then France from (19/03) - these probably use in France

There is some question about the accuracy of some of his entries and clearly they cannot be checked back to source. It may be that the card was bought in Italy but posted when they got back to France.

Hope this helps

[Frank Schofield]

Alan

Thanks for info, it looks like the writer may have taken the postcard of Venice with him and posted it on the way back to France, but where?
These overlapping items during moves are difficult to suss out

Frank

[Frank Schofield]

Alan

Just consulted the Official History. XI Corps entrained at Treviso and Padua on 10th & 11th March 1918 and detrained at Aire on the 14th & 15th March then moved to Hinges on the 16th.

This seems to confirm the item was posted in France  on the 17th March and not Italy, yet the writer do's not mention any move??

Frank

[Frank Schofield]

Finally got round to checking that FPO H.C.3. was possibly used in Italy

Proud (2nd Ed), states it was used by XI Corps HQ from 22nd February 1918 until 19th March 1918. The Corps HQ entrained at Treviso and Padua on 10th/11th March to move back to France

So have got to keep my eyes open for an item from FPO H.C.3 dated between 22nd February 1918 and 10th/11th March 1918 and hope that it confirms its use in Italy

Frank Schofield