South Africa Fleet Mail Office postmark.

[Chris Weddell]

Hello All,

              I have just got this cover. It has an H.M.S.A.S. Pietermaritzburg ships cachet and is tied with a "FLEET MAIL OFFICE / SIMONSTOWN" postmark dated for the 24th of SEP but no year. Could any one tell me about the Fleet Mail Office postmark as i can not find out anything about it. I was told it was very uncommon but not knowing about it, i would not know. Can anyone add any information about the ship it would also be a great help.

                                                              Thanks in advance

                                                                Chris  :)

[Frank Schofield]

Chris

F.M.O. Simonstown (HMS Afrikander) according to Proud operated from 13th March 1946 until 22nd August 1955,
The F.M.O. was transferred from Durban in 1946. Three postmarks/cachets are known 1. A double ring B.F.M / No 29 with the year slugs at the top over the day & month,1946 to 1948. 2. An oval F.M.O. Simonstown, I have recorded for 14th June 1954. The third, the one on your cover known from 26 10 50 until the above August date, I have never seen it without the year slugs before.

Frank Schofield

[Chris Weddell]

Frank

      Thanks for your help.

                  Chris.

[Frank Schofield]

Chris

Should have mentioned, HMSAS Pietermaritzburg, was an Accommodation Ship for Minesweepers at Simonstown (1943), taken out to sea and scuttled in 1994.

Frank Schofield

[Chris Weddell]

Frank

        Thanks again.

                Chris

[Michael Dobbs]

Chris

Frank beat me to it and gave much more information than I could have done, but for completeness attached is the page from Proud's book "The Postal History of the Naval & R.A.F. Postal Services".

Hope it helps, Mike  :)

[Chris Weddell]

Mike,

      Thank you for your help. Looks like i need to add a few more books to my library.

                                  Cheers

                                    Chris  :)

[Frank Schofield]

Mike

Over the last few years I have added several photocopies of items unlisted in Prouds book, including the oval F.M.O./ Simonstown  I mentioned in the earlier post.

Frank

[Colin Tabeart]

Jane's Fighting Ships 1968-69 lists Pietermaritzburg as an ex British Algerine Class minesweeper, completed 1943 at Renfrew. Purchased from UK in 1947. Re-commissioned midshipmen's raining vessel Aug 1962. Complement 8 officers, 107 men. Best wishes, C olin

[Chris Weddell]

Colin

      Thank you for your help

                  Regards

                  Chris.