1915 Cover from Russia Naval

[Chris Grimshaw]

Afternoon Team

Attached scan shows an intriguing item currently on a well known internet site.

From Russia in Feb 1915 to a seaman on HMS New Zealand, redirected to Chatham Naval Hospital.  Anyone any thoughts please. I'm tempted.

Chris

[Michael Dobbs]

Chris - get in quick otherwise our Russian expert Howard might be tempted!!  ;) ;D

Mike

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Mike

Item will be with me in a few days.  An interesting cover.

Chris

[Howard Weinert]

The New Zealand visited St. Petersburg in June 1914 so the addressee may have made a new friend there.

[Chris Grimshaw]

Thanks Howard

Item has just arrived,  on the original post I showed the item, now shown as a scan

HMS New Zealand is crossed out in Blue with writing at top of envelope is same crayon I can make out --- Hospital ------  this is then crossed out in purple and redirected to Chatham in same crayon.

No indication where the cancel South Queensferry ties in, unless that's where HMS New Zealand was around that date, or port of landing from Russia?  and the 'Hospital' markings stem from then onwards.

The little paper tags have sealed the cover after censoring.

Howard,  Can you translate the Censor Marking please.

Chris

[Howard Weinert]

Chris,

The purple oval mark reads OPENED BY MILITARY CENSORSHIP.

[Alan Baker]

HMS New Zealand was part of the 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron, based at Rosyth. During 1915, she was part of a series of cruises into the North Sea.

South Queensferry is just the other side of the river estuary from Rosyth, linked by a ferry service.

[Chris Grimshaw]

Thanks All

Appreciated. Think I can write cover up now.  I'm taking it that was the entry port for mail from Russia at this time.

One thing that does surprise me with incoming mails from this period, No Censorship evident on arrival in the UK.  Whilst mails outgoing were subject to censorship.  To my mind mail from Russia in 1915 to a crew member on a British Warship would have shouted 'Censor Me'

Thoughts anyone.

Chris