- £275.00
British Solomon Islands. (Suspended Mail). 1942. Envelope addressed to 'Sister Elizabeth Common, c/o Methodist Mission, Buka Passage, Bougainville, Mandated Territory of New Guinea' bearing New Zealand SG 580, 2d orange tied by Papa date stamp '22nd Jan 42', routed via Australia with 'Opened By Censor/ 2' (red on white label) tied by 'Passed By Censor/ S. 42' hand-stamp in violet applied in Sydney., forwarded toVella Lavella with Tulagi/ British Solomon Islands on reverse '7th Dec 1942' and Vila/ New Hebrides '8th Jan 1943' on reverse and returned with Onehunga arrival '12th Feb 43' on face.
The Japanese had landed troops at Rabaul on 23rd January 1942 so the mail could not be delivered and was forwarded to 'Rev. Silvester (a Coastwatcher on Vella Lavella) at Bilua, Vella Lavella with Tulagi/ British Solomon Islands on reverse '7th Dec 1942' and Vila/ New Hebrides '8th Jan 1943' adjacent.
The missionary, Sister Elizabeth Common had departed with 12 others in the ketch "FAURO CHIEF" on 26th January 1942 arriving at Brisbane, Australia on 13 February.
Ex Stan Jersey and Tony Eastgate
