Manifestations (préventes, bourses, etc...)
Exposition internationale et bureau temporaire Braphil '15
KENNEDY M. Royal Philatelic Society London
B
RITAIN AT WAR 1792-1815
1815 – PREPARATION FOR WATERLOO
20th May 1815 letter from Jas Strudwick, Sergt 2nd DRAGOONS (Scotch Grays) to Bristol. Written at
DUNDIRHOUTEN (The cavalry were assembling in that area) containing much news about the military situation. “We are 16 miles from HQ of French Army of which BONAPARTE I person is in command at Condee. I do not think it likely any engagement will take place for some time as there is none of the army yet taken the field but are all lying in quarters in towns and villages… fresh troops are arriving daily.”
Countersigned by James Inglis Hamilton, Lt Col commanding 2nd Dragoons to confirm entitlement to the soldiers’ concession penny postage rate.
Postmarks: FOREIGN MY 2 1815, London PAID date stamp (weak)
Postage: Soldier’s Penny concession rate, paid by the sender.
Background: Napoleon returned from Elba to France on 1st March 1815, and within two months had raised a large army. Napoleon’s Army entered Belgium on 15th June, but British and Allied troops had been assembling in Belgium to meet this threat and defeated the French at Waterloo three days later, on 18th June 1815. 2nd (Royal North British) Dragoons (Scotch Grays) moved from Bristol to the Low Countries, arriving on 25th April. The Regiment suffered very heavy casualties at Waterloo. Both the writer, SERJT STRUDWICK and his commanding officer, COL HAMILTON LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE BATTLE.164 of the Regiment’s 403 horses were also killed in the Battle. Serjeant James Strudwick was in no 5 troop (pay 1s 8d per day – reduced from home rate of 2s 2d). Lt Col James Inglis Hamilton (Captain 1794, Lt Col 1807) was one of six colonels killed at Waterloo.
Marques
vertes de Corfou : POSTA SETTINSULARE / CORFOU & FRANCA
Marque
Bau d’Otrante / port payé, attribuée jusqu’à présent au bureau de
Paris,
mais il s’agit d’une marque d’Otrante.
Marque
Bau DE NAPLES / PORT PAYE, dans un rectangle pour envois
par
estafettes (port triple).
Marque
d’arrivée à Livourne (département conquis) : 1 JANVIER.
