The British occupation of Baghdad during World War I was a significant event in Middle Eastern history. It not only reshaped geopolitical boundaries but also left behind fascinating relics of postal history that continue to captivate collectors and historians. One such artifact has recently emerged—a remarkable cover that adds to our understanding of postal operations during the occupation. This discovery, sheds new light on the postal connections between occupied Baghdad and British India.
During World War I, Britain and the Ottoman Empire were engaged in a fierce struggle for control over Mesopotamia. The British-led Mesopotamian Campaign, primarily undertaken by the Indian Army, sought to secure valuable oil resources and establish dominance in the region. On March 11, 1917, British forces, led by Major General Sir Frederick Maude, captured Baghdad after a series of hard-fought battles. This victory marked the beginning of British control over the city, influencing both military and civilian administration.
With the British occupation came the establishment of postal services to ensure communication between forces stationed in Mesopotamia and the broader British Empire, particularly India. The military postal system played a crucial role in maintaining morale and operational efficiency among British and Indian troops. This newly discovered cover provides a unique window into this period.
The cover in question, dated September 5, 1917, is an ‘On Active Service’ green stationery envelope. These envelopes were provided as a privilege to serving soldiers, at a rate of one per month, so that they could write personal and private letters to loved ones. It bears a 1a on 20pa red (Castle) stamp, tied by a ‘FPO 13’ (Field Post Office) circular date stamp. Addressed to ‘Mrs. A.E. Whicker c/o Captain Lane R.A.M.C, Sabathu, Simla Hills, India,’ it features a faint ‘PASSED CENSOR D’ handstamp, verifying that it passed military censorship regulations before being dispatched. The sender’s signature appears on the left side, an important detail confirming the correspondence did not contain any sensitive military information.
The reverse of the envelope is equally significant. It bears the same ‘FPO 13’ cancellation dated September 5, as well as a ‘SABATHU’ arrival circular date stamp dated September 23. The timeline suggests that despite the ongoing war, British military postal services were relatively efficient, with the letter reaching India in just 18 days.
This cover is an exceptional find for several reasons. As a new discovery it is unrecorded in the 2017 handbook by Freddy Khalastchy FRPSL, one of the most authoritative references for collectors of Iraqi philately. The fact that this cover was not documented in the 2017 edition makes it an important new addition to the recorded history of British military mail from Mesopotamia. Covers sent from British-occupied Baghdad to India during this period are extremely rare. This cover is just the fourth known example, highlighting its scarcity and significance. The stamp affixed to this cover, 1a on 20pa red (Castle of Europe), is listed as SG5 in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue. Only two other covers bearing this stamp are known, making this discovery a vital addition to the limited number of surviving postal artifacts from the period. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this cover is its status as the only known ‘On Active Service’ envelope of this specific type used during the British occupation of Baghdad. This further increases its desirability among collectors and historians alike.
The British military postal system during the occupation of Baghdad was meticulously organized to facilitate correspondence between soldiers and their families, as well as official military communications. The use of Field Post Offices (FPOs) was a standard practice, ensuring that mail was processed and dispatched efficiently despite wartime conditions.
The ‘FPO 13’ postmark on this cover indicates that it was processed at a field post office serving British forces in Mesopotamia. The ‘PASSED CENSOR D’ marking further confirms that it adhered to wartime censorship rules, a crucial step in preventing sensitive military information from falling into enemy hands.
The sender, A.E. Whicker, was likely a serving member of the British administration or military services in India, given the destination of the cover in Sabathu, Simla Hills. Sabathu was a well-known British military cantonment in India, home to various regiments and medical services during the war.
This newly discovered cover is a major find for both philatelists and historians specialising in wartime postal history. It provides concrete evidence of postal routes, censorship practices, and the operational efficiency of the British military postal system in Mesopotamia.
For collectors, the rarity of this cover makes it an invaluable addition to any collection focusing on the British occupation of Iraq or World War I military mail. The combination of its historical importance, rarity, and unrecorded status in previous literature ensures that it will be highly sought after in the philatelic community.
The British occupation of Baghdad in 1917 was a defining moment in Middle Eastern history, and the postal artifacts from this period serve as enduring reminders of the era. This newly discovered cover, with its rare stamp, unique ‘On Active Service’ designation, and well-documented postal journey to India, represents an extraordinary piece of postal history.
As the fourth known cover to India, the third known cover bearing SG5, and the only recorded example of its kind, this artifact stands out as a star item of the occupation. Its emergence enriches our understanding of British military postal operations and reinforces the significance of philately in uncovering overlooked aspects of history.