WW II: Yeovil (air raid) and RNAS Henstridge (HMS Dipper)

Here are two items with WW II links, starting with a postal stationery card from Yeovil in August 1940.  The card has two 1d printed stamps as the rate increased to 2d on 1st May 1940 and there weren't any 2d dies available.  The message on the postcard talks about an air raid on Yeovil.

The second item is a large birthday greetings card to a Wren at RNAS Henstridge (HMS Dipper) which trained pilots to land on aircraft carriers.

Undated Universal Triangular Cancels - Frome, Shepton Mallet, Taunton

Printed Matter is often cancelled with undated cancels (as there is no service level defined for when it has to be delivered).  Here are three examples from Frome, Shepton Mallet and Taunton, all dated approximately by their contents (Programmes for the Mid-Somerset Youg Farmers' Club).

Extended date for "WELLS-S / 129" Handstamp (SO 917)

The "WELLS-S / 129" handstamp was known in use from 1802-1808.  The partial example below extends the usage to 1810, with the replacement "WELLS / 129" handstamp known from 1811.

Axbridge in the Wells and Cross Penny Posts

Here are two examples of post from Axbridge, the first in 1827 is in the Wells Penny Post, and the second in 1832 is in the Cross Penny Post.

 

The Cross Penny Post came into being in 1827 as a result of the establishment of a mail coach from Bristol to Bridg(e)water.  Cross took over receiving houses from Bristol (Hutton, Uphill, Weston and Worle) and from Wells (Axbridge and Cheddar).

Free Crewkerne entire from 1790

The entire below is addressed to "The Right Revd the Lord Bishop of Bath & Wells" so went free in the General Post.  It has a partial purple London "FREE" mark with foliate leaves just below the "CREWK / HERNE" handstamp.

Chard mileage mark from 1810

The entire below has a "CHARD / 142" mileage mark, 24x10mm, used in 1810.  This is an example of SO 349, earlier than the previously known examples from 1812-1822.  The handstamp looks fairly clean so is probably near the start of its life.

Castle Cary in 1781, 1783

The entires below have examples of the "CASTLE / CARY" handstamp from 1781 and 1783.  This is the first handstamp used at Castle Cary, known from 1778 to 1785.

Wells to Tunbridge Wells in 1758

The entire below was sent from Wells, Somerset to Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1758.  As it was addressed to "The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Bath & Wells" it went free in the General Post, and has been marked "P" for Privilege to indicate that no postage charge was due.

The "WELLS" handstamp is crisp and clean and matches SO 893 (30x6 mm, previously known 1759-1766), an example of which from 1765 is shown below.

This extends the usage earlier by one year.  SO 889 (31x7 mm) is known used 1754-1758, but unfortunately I don't have an example to compare with.

Milverton and Wells mileage marks

Two recent acquisitions, a very clean "MILVERTON / 172" mileage mark from April 1806 (soon after its issue), and a "WELLS.S / 129" mileage mark from May 1820 franked by the Bishop of Bath and Wells.