Up for sale is an authentic, original piece of post-WWII British military and social history. This listing includes the original Army Form W5258 Record of Service document and the official War Office envelope it was mailed in.
This card is an official Army Form W5258 (Record of Service). When a soldier was demobilized (discharged) from the British Army at the end of World War II, a massive administrative process took place to transition millions of troops back to civilian life.
This specific card was sent to Corporal Hill in September 1946 as official proof of his military service. As noted on the reverse side, he was instructed to keep this card to present to his local Regimental or Corps Association. These associations helped returning veterans find civilian employment, provided welfare/financial assistance if they fell on hard times, and allowed them to stay in touch with old comrades.
Item Details & Transcriptions:
- Soldier: Corporal (Cpl.) F.W. Hill
- Service Number: S/14688739
- G.S.C. (General Service Corps): Served 2.12.43 to 12.1.44. The G.S.C. was used as a holding and sorting unit where new recruits did basic training and were assessed before assignment to a permanent regiment.
- R.A.S.C. (Royal Army Service Corps): Served 13.1.44 to 30.9.46. The R.A.S.C. was the vital lifeline of the British Army, responsible for supplying all food, water, fuel, and ammunition to the troops, as well as operating transport vehicles.
- Stamps & Signatures: Features a clear blue ink stamp from "R.A.S.C. Records, Ore Place, Hastings" dated 27 JUL 1946, officially signed by Record Officer E. Fagan. Ore Place was a historic mansion in Sussex requisitioned by the War Office to act as the massive central records bureau for the R.A.S.C.
- Envelope Address: Sent to 24 Athelney Street, Bellingham, London, S.E.6. Bellingham was a major estate built in the 1920s to provide "homes for heroes" after WWI, and Corporal Hill was returning here just after the area survived the Blitz.
Philatelic & Postal History Interest:
The official "On His Majesty's Service" (O.H.M.S.) envelope features excellent postal markings:
- An "Official Paid" crown stamp.
- A London S.E.1 postmark dated 10 SEP 1946.
- A rare and highly collectible "Britain Can Make It Exhibition 1946" slogan cancellation stamp. This famous exhibition opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum in September 1946 to showcase the best of post-war British industrial design and manufacturing, aiming to jumpstart the export economy.
Condition:
Good vintage condition with expected age-related toning and light paper wear. The envelope flap on the reverse is torn open as expected from being opened by the recipient, but it remains fully intact. Please inspect the provided photos closely to assess condition details.