The President's Cup Competition shall consist of an entry of 9 sheets on any subject matter covered by the aims of the Society (i.e. the pos

We had only 10 members at the meeting, but nevertheless it was a good showing of material. What do we need to do to attract more members to come visit us at our meetings in London (Union Jack Club, Waterloo) or Banstead? Geoff Hanney was first to display with a couple of letters to or from India with military connections. Plus a couple of postcards with military camp postmarks at Heliopolis aerodrome in 1915. Nick Harris was next and showed five interesting Boer war ite

The President in the first half initially showed Indian Field Post Offices in Italy during WW2 and was completed by US Air Force covers also in the Italian campaign. The display had number of examples of each of the Field Post Office cancelers showing the different locations these operated from during the campaign. The majority of the American covers were from the collection of the late Bill Collingwood and showing both the 12th and 15th Air Force units in the Italian Campaig

Following our AGM we had a break for lunch and then we welcomed guest visitor Paul Baylis who gave a fascinating talk and display on “WW1 Charities and other fundraising efforts”. The display was concerned with fund raising and charities which raised money for both individual and national causes. It consisted of postcards, paper lapel pins [flag days] and related ephemera. Prior to WWI it was illegal to collect money on the street [begging] but this changed when Princess A

On this occasion FPHS member Malcolm Cole gives a well-rehearsed presentation of materials from Barry Feltham. This is an unusual look at Boer War postal history; a topic not often covered at our zoom displays. Malcolm shows some fascinating historical documents, that happen to also be postal history, including mail c/o Major General Pretyman, a descriptive card from the Boer invasion of Natal, a rare STOPPED BY CENSOR cover and a card sent from the Salisbury Mail Coach on ro

Michael Dobbs the FPHS Hon. Secretary gives this display of cachets used in recruitment campaigns in the run up to the end of National Service in 1960. This is the first research seen into the use of these cachets by the Army and the Royal Air Force, well-illustrated and giving an insight into the areas of use. This display is also meant to encourage members and others to come forward and add to this research.

Once again FPHS member Malcolm (Grandad) Cole, gives an interesting insight into life for the Tommy on the Western Front during WW1. This display gives some history and illustrated examples of the use of ambulance transport, both prior to the war and during fighting on the front line. To note, is a super card showing an ambulance donation from the people of Barbados to the British Red Cross.

Colin Tabeart takes us on a fascinating journey with this display explaining the Royal Navy submarine operations in the Baltic covering the key periods between 1914 and 1918. Colin shows both postcards of the submarines and rare covers posted home, including an exceptional card from Lt Cdr Vaughan Jones onboard E9 writing to HMS Hercules at Scapa.

This is a display by MPHS member Kurt Stauffer of Prisoner of War mail from Stalag 17B. Stalag 17B was a major Nazi prisoner-of-war camp near Gneixendorf, Austria, primarily holding American airmen NCOs (downed aircrews) from 1943 to 1945.

Presented by Regis Hoffman This was the winning entry in the 2026 John Daynes Plate Competition from Regis Hoffman. The display showed the postal history from Nyasaland Field Force (N.F.F.) that was involved with military operations and occupation of south-western German East Africa during World War I. This was his first entry in our competitions and so hearty congratulations - well done! This entry was also shown at our joint meeting with the East Africa Study Circle the f

14th February 2026 – John Daynes’ Plate 15-page Competition (am) and a general discussion on the future of the Society (pm) This was our first Banstead meeting of the year with 12 members and guests present during the day. We had just six entries this year (one less than last year) of which one was a postal entry and the other an overseas electronic entry from the USA. Voting was by the members present at the meeting. I’m pleased to announce that Regis Hoffman from the U

Peter Stockton continues his display of postal history associated with the French battleship the Richelieu. On this occasion he starts in 1950 post WW2, where the ship was undergoing refit at Brest, his display takes us through to 1986, where the ship was in use as a gunnery training vessel back at Brest.

Here FPHS and well known Zoom presenter Jamie Smith shows Part 1 of his Sudan – A Military postal History Display. Jamie, as usual sets out in detail the history of the period 1882 through to early 1900’s, showing some rare and unique postal history, which provides a great reference for both the postal and military historian alike.

From the PAIFORCE expert we have the second of Mick Carter’s displays from his extensive PAIFORCE collection. On this occasion Mick shows the remainer of his recent acquisitions, where he describes in detail the allied military operations in Persia and Iraq at the time.

From the PAIFORCE expert, we have another of Mick Carter’s displays from his extensive PAIFORCE collection. On this occasion Mick shows Part 1 of his recent 2025 – 2026 acquisitions, where he describes in detail the allied military operations in Persia and Iraq at the time.

Malcolm Cole entertains members with this new display, Life in the Trenches. Using postcards from WW1, Malcolm discusses life in the trenches on the Western Front, covering areas such as the living conditions, gas attacks, rats and smells along with the humour used by the troops to often brighten their day.

Another great display from Nick Colley. On this occasion Nick provides an insight into Royal Navy registered mail from WW2. Typically, WW2 Royal Navy covers provide little information, with their tombstone censor cachets and often undated postal markings. Here Nick shows how members can collect RN registered mail, a great display with lots of WW2 interest. This area still needs much research and provides a fascinating collecting interest.

FPHS Member Peter Webb provides this outstanding display from his collection of Indian Hospital Ships 1914 - 1919. Peter presented this initially to FPHS zoom meetings as a three part display, here it is drawn together as one and provides a unique reference for the specialist collector.

This was an excellent first meeting of 2026 - we had 12 members present of whom ten showed and we had three sessions. Prior to the start of the meeting our President, Geoff Hanney FRPSL, presented Nick Harris with his certificate for winning the President’s Cup competition at our October meeting. Peter Wood FRPSL showed material from the Irish Contingent to the UN Forces in Cyprus. The United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was established 1964 to prevent a recurrence

This has become our annual Banstead all-day meeting with new acquisitions and queries - and a chat over tea/coffee, biscuits and mince pies with members displays as well! We had a total of 14 members and 1 guest present, with Frank Schofield and his daughter having a table with books on the Royal Navy for sale and Phil Kaye selling postal history covers. Peter High also had a small number of publications for sale. First to display was our President, Geoff Hanney , with la