Auction No. 25 Sunday, 14 October 2018 / 4:00 pm start
1943 (7th Sept) Cover from the military "Catalina" ...
Realised: $750 plus premium
Category: Airmails > Airmails - Australia
Lot Details
1943 (7th Sept) Cover from the military "Catalina" flying boat en route from New Guinea to Sydney that crashed in Cleveland Bay near Townsville. Stamps missing from this Reg'd cover but "Aust Army Postal Service F.P.O. Reg. No" cachet completed in m/s with neighbouring Censor strike visible. "DAMAGED BY WATER THROUGH ACCIDENT TO FLYING BOAT" boxed cachet in red on reverse with Aust FPO 167 departure cds. Some forces mail was salvaged but only 4 of 17 people on board survived. Deceased pilot was Fl/Lt Jack Miles of Colao, Victoria. A copy of condolence letter sent to his mother has been obtained from council records & included herewith. AAMC 963a, Cat. $1000 (plate 4)