British Wilding stamps with Christmas Island BFPO postmark
Here’s a bit of an oddball item that I’ve had for few years now. This cutout features 2×9d+3d British Wilding definitive stamps with BFPO (British Forces Post Office) Christmas Island postmark.
1956 UK / Christmas Island BFPO. A pair of green 9d Wildings and 3d violet Wilding.
AFAIK the history of this (and similar Christmas Island BFPO) item dates back British H-bomb tests on Christmas Island in 1956-58. Initial preparation for the tests, including establishing necessary infrastructure on Christmas Island, began at the end of May 1956. The actual nuclear tests were performed in 1957-1958 on Malden Island (about 200 miles south of Christmas Island). Operation Grapple (as it was called) resulted in Britain becoming a thermonuclear power. About 1,200 civilian and military personnel were stationed on Christmas Island during 1956; and some more was added later. Most of the personnel was withdrawn in 1960.
The big question for me is why 21d (or 1′9d as British folks might prefer)? .. I don’t anything about BFPO postage rates of the time, but all the Christmas Island BFPO covers I found online seem to feature a single 2½d stamp (usually red Wilding). So I assume 2½d was the postage rate for standard airmail letter. So for what purpose was 21d (or 1′9d) used?
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Well Keijo…I don’t know much about the rate on that era…
but, I assume 2½d was used for local mail within the territory…and probably it was the minimum for a cover with a single piece of paper.
The 1’9 would be necessary for heavy items and/or to send abroad(Great Britain)by air mail…that’s what I think thou’…I did not make any research for that…LOL!
I’m new to this blog site, so have only just caught up with this. And I’m old enough to remember! I think this was most likely cut from a corner of a Registered envelope. This was a more secure postal system with the name of the sender and the recipient recorded at the time of posting, and was normally used for important documents or valuable contents. Envelopes were marked by a blue cross over the entire surface both front and back, and could either be bought pre-printed, or the post office would use a blue crayon on your own envelope. In those days banknotes were frequently posted by Registered mail.
LOL
I just found the same sort of Chrismas Island mailed the the UK. 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 p stamps.
Full cover
@Maurits… Nice find. Sounds like a standard letter rate (2½d).
Hello, As an ex-member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, and later a sorter for Royal Mail, all B.F.P.O. mail was carried at internal U.K. postage rates. This even included a cover I have, sent to a friend with me in Germany, with a Guernsey stamp.
Hi Keijo, about this one, you may find this link useful
http://www.philatel2.com/jubilee/id513.htm
Cheers
@Hannibal…Thanks. Airmail letter rate from UK to Oceania would seem as quite good match (assuming the rates went up for QE).