Bromley and Beckenham Philatelic Society

11:20am Tuesday 6th November 2007

PETER O'Keeffe's talk and display, The First World War, highlighted the difficulties, inadequacies and inconsistencies of running an enormous postal service in time of war.

It included a vast array of covers, cards and postal stationery. Featured were both military and privately produced items, picture postcards, patriotic cards, Christmas cards and other material.

Mr O'Keeffe highlighted the many different postage rates and privileges available to the soldiers, their families, officers and other ranks.

The material showed a wide variety of postal markings, cachets, civilian and military postmarks including the first slogan cancellations, postage due and other directions. Censorship was in evidence, as well as the printed message cards and the so-called "Greeny" honour envelopes.

Peter included a wide range of prisoner of war and internment camp mail, both British and other nationalities, and these also included items from the immediate post-war period. All the main divisions of the military were represented including the infant Naval Air Service and its successor, the Royal Air Force.

Michael Dobbs proposed the vote of thanks and presented Mr O'Keeffe with a certificate and a society pen.

The next meeting is today, when Colin Tobitt, president of the Kent Federation of Philatelic Societies, will be giving his presidential display.

The society meets in the Public Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham.

Full reports of the society's recent meetings and the advance programme can also be found on its website at beckenham.net/leisure.asp

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