Military Mail. The strategic importance of Bermuda had been apparent from the 18th. Century. In 1795, after the Revolutionary War, the British restored bases its bases on the American continent though it wasn’t until the War of 1812 that there was a significant increase in the British naval presence on Bermuda. She became the winter home of the Atlantic fleet and the principal naval port between Halifax and the B.W.I. Halifax was the fleet’s summer home. Concessionary Rates. The routing of military mail is not as easily explained as civilian mail. Mail was sent by the most expeditious method, usually by non-military ships. Military vessels carried civilian mail, their sendings were not advertised so their use was very much on an ad hoc basis. Soldiers and Sailors rates. A special rate of 1d. for Soldiers and Sailors was in effect from 1795. The letters needed to be countersigned by the Commanding Officer and had to include the senders and regiments name. Soldiers. 1875 (31 May) envelope “From No. 1312 Sergt. Henry Pidder 97th. Regt.” to London, per Cunard Alpha to Halifax and thence Allan Line Nestorian to Queenstown, bearing 1875 1d. on 3d. yellow-buff (imperforate at right) cancelled “B/1” and with “st georges/bermuda” oval datestamp at left partially covered by light London Paid datestamp, twice redirected and with Crowned “r” handstamp at lower right corner, no forwarding charges being made on military mail. The only known Provisional used for the soldier’s letter rate. Brandon Certificate (1999). Photo provenance:. Sir Henry Tucker, October 1978. Gerald Sattin, May 2004 (Estimate 9000 - 10000)
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