2022: Blog | Stamp issues
04/02/2022
Pictured: Kit enjoying some quality time with his stamps
Few people are fortunate enough to come to Port Lockroy and fewer again get the opportunity to return. To return to Bransfield House and open the iconic post box is a very special moment. Having returned to civilisation and spoken to people who have received mail from the Penguin Post Office it makes it all the more special that I can once again reprise the role to help spread that little bit of joy.
While working at Port Lockroy and particularly in the role of postmaster you develop, sometime inadvertently, a real interest and excitement for stamps. It sounds strange but when it becomes part of your daily life it does happen. From seeing the stamps that arrive to us from all around the world (literally everywhere) and reading about the original stamps used during Operation Tabarin, from the Falkland Islands which required over printing, to the more modern issues. One such modern issue has particular interest to one of the team this year - Base Leader Lucy. Not only has a photograph she took been used to make a stamp, she also features on one of the new issue stamps this year. It’s a pretty big claim to be able to make, to be on a stamp. Am I jealous? No! Not that I would admit anyway, but she hasn’t sent a card into Space. I have.
Kit Adams, Port Lockroy General Assistant 2021 - 2022
Many historic expeditions and explorers, including the men of Operation Tabarin (a top secret mission to Antarctica during World War II) have followed this same route to Antarctica. Whilst I set sail on a modern ship, the 14 men of Operation Tabarin left Stanley on 2 small ships, one of which was not ice strengthened. Not only did they have the dangers of a polar expedition in front of them, but also the potential threat of enemy forces during WWII.
This film captures the 134ft HMS William Scorseby at sea in Feb 1944 (Reproduced courtesy of BAS Archives, Ref AD6/16/1944/1.1).We, like our polar ancestors, are now heading South through the furious 50°'s and eventually to the screaming 60°’s, where the winds batter the Southern Ocean, with terrifying intensity. I cannot begin to imagine what it would have been on The Scorseby, with the men of Operation Tabarin in such weather. I am hoping to experience some of the beauty and wonder of Antarctica's wildlife on my journey there. With perhaps a small bit of Antarctic adventure thrown in. Although perhaps I should be careful what I wish for!
