Guest Firemanbob Posted 12 April , 2004 Share Posted 12 April , 2004 Is there any way of researching the Field Censor or Army Post Office marks that are stamped on to the back of postcards etc Any suggestions greatly appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borden Battery Posted 12 April , 2004 Share Posted 12 April , 2004 I cannot offer any specific background, however, I do have a large number of envelops with one or two types of Censor markings on them. The most common is the censor stamp of the immediate lieutenant of my late Grandfather's unit. There are also a couple of stamps/paper re-sealing stamps from a higher level. I should note that these markings are for the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade, CEF. Regards - Dwight Mercer, Regina, Canada PS I could forward samples upon request. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyford Posted 13 April , 2004 Share Posted 13 April , 2004 A while ago I contacted Post Office archives because I thought they might have archive information about WW1 Field Post Card address listings. I believe it was a very efficient service. The records I wanted have been destroyed but I was given a contact for a group whose main interest was stamps and specialisms in WW1 censor marks etc. Unfortunately they couldn't help me with my own query but obviously they must have access to reference books about these marks and stamps. Again unfortunately, I have deleted their Email addresses and I could not locate them when I did a net search for you tonight but there are definitely people out there who know about these things. Possibly someone else on this forum will know about these collectors. Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Firemanbob Posted 15 April , 2004 Share Posted 15 April , 2004 Dwight / Kate Thanks for your replys.......the quest continues it would appear!! I will try posting it under a different forum!!!! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 15 April , 2004 Share Posted 15 April , 2004 Bob, I know someone who might be able to help; he is expert in historic stamps. He would almost certainly know of a source of reference or a way forward. Do you have actual examples, and, if you do, would it be possible for you to email me a couple of samples? If so, I'll let you have an email address so you can forward an attachment via my website. It might take a couple of weeks, 'till I see him again. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyford Posted 15 April , 2004 Share Posted 15 April , 2004 Bob The link you found seems very useful. I had these field postcards (picture attached) in my possession and for a long time ignored the address side, until I noticed the detail of company and even platoon in the address, let alone post marks or dates. It seemed that the Field postal service might be an excellent source of information on soldiers. Mail in the field was handled by a separate organisation and of course the addresses were transitory. It is obvious that the first overseas address listings after which I was hankering no longer exist. But the censor marks live on. It is unbelievable that I was so ignorant of what I was looking at and the details that can be found in routine items. Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raster Scanning Posted 17 April , 2004 Share Posted 17 April , 2004 Is there any way of researching the Field Censor or Army Post Office marks that are stamped on to the back of postcards etc Any suggestions greatly appreciated Bob. The simple answer is yes it is possible. Although the records have been lost, postal history records experts have been able to piece together all (or nearly all) the details. The censor stamps were passed between units every 6 months as an added security measure. But if you know the date (postmark) and censor number you can identify the unit and location. The two books that have all the details are...... The History of the British Army Postal Service 1903-27 by E B Proud, Proud-Bailey Co Ltd, Dereham, Norwich. Postal History of the British Army in WW1 by Alistair Kennedy and George Crabb, George Crabb, Epsom 1977. I do not think either are in print but the inter library loan service should find a copy. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raster Scanning Posted 17 April , 2004 Share Posted 17 April , 2004 Sorry, had to post this picture of RAMC postmen at Tweseldown Camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyford Posted 17 April , 2004 Share Posted 17 April , 2004 Wow - what a wonderful photo. Thank you very much. Those men must have been among the most popular in WW1. and I believe they were very efficient. I wonder what they did with the double glazing catalogues. Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 18 October , 2019 Share Posted 18 October , 2019 (edited) On 17/04/2004 at 11:42, Raster Scanning said: Bob. The simple answer is yes it is possible. Although the records have been lost, postal history records experts have been able to piece together all (or nearly all) the details. The censor stamps were passed between units every 6 months as an added security measure. But if you know the date (postmark) and censor number you can identify the unit and location. The two books that have all the details are...... The History of the British Army Postal Service 1903-27 by E B Proud, Proud-Bailey Co Ltd, Dereham, Norwich. Postal History of the British Army in WW1 by Alistair Kennedy and George Crabb, George Crabb, Epsom 1977. I do not think either are in print but the inter library loan service should find a copy. Cheers. Regards Barry Edited 18 October , 2019 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazel Basford Posted 12 December , 2022 Share Posted 12 December , 2022 Hello I understand that this is a very difficult thing to find out much about, but its worth a try as you folk seem to know the most ... I have been looking into a postcard sent from France. It has two stamps on it Field Post Office D50 10 SP 15 Censor stamp - Red triangle, Passed by Censor, Crown in the centre, No. 754 By chance I found online on an auction site (auction over) a cover with the exact same stamps. The postmark was dated 15 OC 15. Any clues as to locations would be very much appreciated. Happy Christmas everyone, Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poona guard Posted 30 July , 2023 Share Posted 30 July , 2023 Hi Hazel. It was sent by someone in 50 Division. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now