Huntingdonshire Philatelic Society

MEMBERS were given a display by P Ball at a recent meeting of philatelic and non philatelic material relating to World War I. The speaker gave a potted history of what had caused the war, which centred on the assassination of Austria s Crown Prince Arch D

MEMBERS were given a display by P Ball at a recent meeting of philatelic and non philatelic material relating to World War I.

The speaker gave a potted history of what had caused the war, which centred on the assassination of Austria's Crown Prince Arch Duke Ferdinand at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914.

By the end of 1914, Britain had seized all the German colonies except East Africa. In 1915 Italy and Bulgaria came into the war. Poland was overrun in 1915 and German stamps were overprinted "Russischpolen" for use in the occupied territory.

Zeppelin raids began in 1915 and postcards depicting them were displayed.

The armistice was signed on the November 11, 1918. During the final months of the struggle, the fighting had been the fiercest with the Allies losing some 350,000 men, the Germans lost 500,000.

The display was brought to life with maps, postcards, covers and stamps from occupied countries along with a good knowledge and love of the subject.

Next meeting is on May 9. Mr and Mrs Knight will be showing Mallorca and China. Contact Peter Garth on 01480 457851 for further details.