Now the story of Alcock & Brown and the Dam Busters’ are so well known that I shall refrain from writing about either, other than to say that both Mr. Alcock and Brown have connections with Chorlton and that 617 Squadron used the Derwent Reservoir in the north of Derbyshire for some of the practice runs.
And any one who has no idea about Alcock and Brown’s transatlantic flight or the Dam Buster’s can explore the many references in books and on online.
Instead I will just say that our Stella collected first day issues of special commemorative stamps, and over the next few days I shall share some of my favourites.
Yesterday It was two from Italy celebrating the 700th birthday of the Italian poet Dante and the 1962 cycle road race, held near Milan.
Many of the originals had been sent to a Mr. Tom Pdgeon but for reasons despite the passing of nearly half a century I have airbrushed out his address.
And that is pretty much it other than to say that the Dam Buster’s issue has that added interest that it celebrates the reunion of the 617 Squadron held in Toronto in Canadian June 1972.
An event which is not unsurprising given that the crews included RAF personnel of several nationalities, drawn from members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
On the reverse there is the post mark from R.A.F. Post Office Scampton, in Lincoln June 23rd 1972, which was where 617 Squardon was based at the time of the attacks on the German dams.
While the stamp and the post mark on the front are Canadian.
Location; Lincoln, and Toronto
Pictures; first day of issue stamps, 1969 and 1972, from the collection of Stella Simpson
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