Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Society Visit"

Stirling & District Philatelic Society

It was a bit of a ‘Variety’ evening at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society meeting on Friday, 7^th October when Brian Thomson, from Stirling Philatelic Society, entertained members with 4 most interesting displays.

He began with a display of "Merchant Fleet during World War 2". He informed members that 56 passenger liners with a service speed of 15 knots were converted to Armed Merchant Cruisers – stamps and postcards illustrated these. By May 1941, 14 of these had been sunk. On each sheet a potted history and also information as to what had happened to each of these – and other ships of the Merchant Fleet - was given.

The second display was the stamps of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean. These islands were formerly incorporated with Singapore but, in 1955, were transferred to Australian control. The islands do issue their own postage stamps and all issued were displayed. Many of the designs are beautiful and colourful – showing fish, butterflies, flora, crabs and wonderful coral reefs. Darwin, Christmas and the Royal visit of 2004 were also commemorated.

After tea, Brian moved all some 606 miles ENE to Christmas Island whose history is similar – it was part of the colony of Singapore until 1957 when it, too, was transferred to the control of Australia. All the stamp issues were displayed – the definitives and the varied commemoratives. These included – Fish and Ships, Phosphate Industry, Birds, Chinese New Year, Christmas – among many others.

From the sea to the air! Brian’s last display was "Aircraft of World War 2" – and a wonderful selection of stamps and postcards of aircraft were shown – and the history of each was explained. This display ended with commemorative stamps and covers issued for the Centenary of Flight in 2003.

Margaret Lyth gave warm thanks to Brian for his most interesting and colourful evening.

Our next meeting in St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Avon Street, Hamilton, is on Friday, 21st October, 2011 at 7:30pm when we look forward to a visit from Mrs Fiona McEwan with her displays of "Badminton" and "George V".

Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc is very welcome to attend.