units to which the letters are
addressed. There are several kinds of field post offices; those "with
train" are attached to the headquarters of each train, and handle the
letters of the units served by the train. Branch field post offices
are attached to the general headquarters, and to the headquarters of
armies, divisions, and brigades. Then there are stationary field post
offices at various points on the line of communication, and in some
cases travelling post offices on railway lines.

It devolves upon the Director of Army Postal Services, who is
represented at general headquarters, and at the headquarters of each
Army by an Assistant Director, to organise the service, and to supply
to the various offices the information necessary to ensure the proper
circulation of the mails. This, especially in a campaign like the
present, is a delicate task, often complicated by the restrictions
necessary in military policy to preserve secrecy as to the movements
of the troops.

* * * * *

NAVAL POSTMARKS. Of the naval postal arrangements, reference has
already been made to the cancellations used on letters originating
with the British Fleet in the Baltic during the Crimean War (_Fig._
20). Special navy post offices were in the early days established by
local postmasters at various ports as a link between the land service
and the Fleet in home waters. The letters were marked with _Fig._ 44,
and the local postmaster collected an extra penny charge upon such
letters for delivery to ships lying in the harbour or roadstead.

[Illustration: 44]

The late Mr. W. G. Hendy, of the Muniment Room, records that with the
introduction of Uniform Penny Postage (1840) it was decided so far as
Portsmouth was concerned, that such letters should be delivered free
in the harbour as far as Spithead; but it was not until May, 1852,
that the practice of charging the extra penny for delivery was
abolished at Devonport and Plymouth, and free delivery extended to all
vessels lying in the harbour (Hamoaze), although not to vessels lying
in Plymouth Sound. The following are types of postmarks used after
free delivery was granted. (_Figs._ 45, 46.)

[Illustration: 45 46]

The same authority states that a privilege was accorded to
non-commissioned officers, seamen, and soldiers of sending and
receiving within any part of the British dominions, under certain
regulations, letters on their own concerns only, not exceeding