Quote from Steve on July 17, 2025, 11:11 am

Jamie, I am a collector of Simonstown postal history. While I am a 'specialist' in this area I am NOT an expert yet. The issue you raise about Maritime Mail reminded me of my lack of knowledge about FMO and BFM (Britisf Fleet Mail), a gap-filled subject that has plagued me for some time. I have no neat and tidy explanation for how it worked. I really know very little about this post-WW2 development. Prior to this most RN mail to the UK and elsewhere went through the Simonstown PO and on a Union-Castle mailboat. The process by which mail travelled to the UK on RN ships is not common knowledge. As a result of your imput, I have re-examined my material afresh and can now sense the possible glimmer of a better understanding of the FMO by comparing the various covers I have. As you say by talking to others and sharing what we have in common we can learn a lot. Thanks for contributing to my growing uderstanding!

I found this sheet below and hope its comments and extra covers will be of interest. Both are airmail from Simonstown as shown by the unseen addresses on the reverse. Also, both have been cancelled in the UK, neither were cancelled in SA ie. they must have travelled to the UK uncancelled.