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Auction: 1028 - The "Wilkin" Collection of British West Africa Postal History and British Africa Stamps from the Vestey Collection
Lot: 24

Cameroons British Campaign 1914 - 1918 Military Mail 1914 (31 Aug.) unstamped envelope from Capt. H.L. Norton Traill to Ireland, marked "On Service. Stamps not available", showing fine "yola. northern nigeria" double-ring d.s., red crayon "T" and, on reverse, Naraguta and arrival datestamps; the envelope with tears at top caused through opening. An early expedition cover. Photo Estimate £ 250-300 Note: A column starting from Yola attacked Garua on the night of 30th August 1914. It was, however, forced to retire back to Yola. Captain H.L. Norton Traill was from the Highland Light Infantry Special Reserve and was a District Commissioner 2nd Class in the Northern Provinces of Nigeria. During the wet season (to the end of September) the supply route for stores and mail was up the Niger River from Forcados and thence from Lokoja by a vessel of the Benue River Service to Yola, whence the river continued to Garua in the Cameroons. Conversely the mail went down the river the same way. During the dry season, the route was by rail from Lagos to Zaria and Naraguta (present day Jos), and thence by road to Yola and Garua.

Sold for
£350