FIELD POST OFFICE 1053 - used in 1991

[Michael Dobbs]

Does anyone know the location of FIELD POST OFFICE 1053 (Type S4 - double ring with thin arcs) in 1991?

In recent correspondence with Peter Burrows he sent me a scan of a cover which has meter franking machine inscribed B.F.P.O. / GULF 2 and serial number 9NE 11523 dated 12.3.91 (12 March 1991).  As well as having the unit datestamp of SH FORCE ME REAR / 12 MAR 1991 / AL JUBAIL (Support Helicopter Force Middle East Rear) it also has an unclear FIELD POST OFFICE datestamp - [u]this looks like[/u] 1053 but is it?

The Ransom book (see under "Draft Publications – Feedback Required" on the Forum Home page) lists the Type S4 (double ring FIELD POST OFFICE with thin arcs) 1053 up to November 1970 (BFPO 30 Hohne, Germany) only.  Thereafter it lists 1053 as Type 6a (single ring FORCES POST OFFICE) – used in Zimbabwe (BFPO 632 / BFPO 7) September 1983 to May 1994.

Does anyone have a double ring FIELD POST OFFICE 1053 (Type S4) used after November 1970, in particular in 1991?  Or can anyone confirm what the number in the postmark on the cover actually is?

I also have to say that 1053 does [u]not[/u] appear in the listing of Gulf FPOs compiled by John Daynes which appeared in FPHS Newsletter No 208 (Summer 1991) under the heading "Allied Forces Postal Services in the Gulf 1990-1991".

While we are on the Gulf War topic, John lists three meter marks: GULF 1 (at BFPO 646) and two with GULF 2 (both at BFPO 649).  He illustrates the two GULF 2 meter marks (9NE 11523 and 2 NE 18853).  I am interested in any reports / recordings of all these three meter marks used in the Gulf please.

Many thanks, Michael