Passchendaele 1917 Centenary Cover

The centenary of the First World War Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, is being commemorated today throughout Belgium, Great Britain, Canada and elsewhere in the Commonwealth. 

The Prince of Wales said in his memorial speech at Tyne Cot Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium, "We remember it not only for the rain that fell, the mud that weighed down the living and swallowed the dead, but also for the courage and bravery of the men who fought here.”

In this spirit of commemoration the CILP has released a very limited number of commemorative covers and commemorative postcards. Both feature our 1914 B.E.F. commemorative stamp with a special hand-struck cachet.

Both issues will be available from August 2nd for purchase through Alpha Thematics on eBid UK (subject to availability).

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© 2017 CILP

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© 2017 CILP

'Old Contemptibles' 1914 - Maxi Card and Postcard

To accompany the issue of the 'Old Contemptibles' 1914 stamp on 22nd November, 2014, 100 postcards were produced as part of the CILP 'Heritage Series'. The "Old Contemptibles" postcard is the third in the series.

'Old Contemptibles' Maxi Card (front)

The postcard was used for the production of a Limited Edition of just 12 First Day Issue Maxi cards. Each Maxi card bears an "Old Contemptible" 1914 stamp on the front plus another stamp on the reverse which has been cancelled by a 'First Day of Issue' franking.

'Old Contemptibles' Maxi Card (reverse)

Canvey Island Local Post Stamps, First Day Covers, Maxi FDI Cards, and Postcards are all issued in limited editions. All CILP philatelic material is obtainable from Alpha Thematics on eBid (subject to availability).

Centenary of the 'Old Contemptibles' B.E.F. 1914

On 22 November, 2014, a single stamp was issued by the Canvey Island Local Post to commemorate the centenary of the British regular army or British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) in Belgium prior to November 22, 1914.

Nicknamed the "Old Contemptible" following a supposed comment about Britain's small army by the German Kaiser, the B.E.F. was almost destroyed trying to halt the German advance. The "Old Contemptible" who survived the war proudly named their post-war associations after the sobriquet.

Although this stamp pays specific tribute to the 1914 "Old Contemptible" of the original B.E.F., it also honours all soldiers who served in the British Army during the Great War.

The stamp features the designer's grandfather who was a regular soldier prior to 1910. He took part in the retreat from Mons and First Battle of Ypres in 1914. He served in the field for most of the Great War and was fortunate to return to England at the emd of the war.

"Old Comtemptible" Sgt W. Wilkinson B.E.F. 1914

Canvey Island Local Post Stamps, First Day Covers, Maxi FDI Cards, and Postcards are all issued in limited editions. All CILP philatelic material is obtainable from Alpha Thematics on eBid (subject to availability).