Navy postal service ww2

[Brewins girl]

Can anyone tell me how letters would have been sent from ships in the Italian campaign to the UK, and then from UK to ships in WW2? Also, the same for ships carrying gold to Russia (from UK?) in 1941

HMS Lookout - Italian campaign escort destroyer
HMS Edinburgh - gold to Russia

[hanes teulu]

There's an article in The Sphere, Sat 10 Oct 1942, about sending mail from the UK to ships. It's headed
"..c/o G.P.O. London" - Sending a letter to a Seaman in the Tropics.

It explains how a letter addressed "H.M.S Blank c/o G.P.O London" reaches its destination. It includes a number of photos of mail activity.

FindMyPast or British Newspaper Archive - both credit/subscription sites - cover The Sphere. 

[Brewins girl]

That is really helpful, thank you
I'm pretty sure I can access the British Newspaper Archive foc at our local library (libraries have an account which we, of course, pay for through Council Tax). I'll add a post when I've tested this

[hanes teulu]

Also have a look at the Sphere, 16 May 1942, page 22, which shows the only woman commanding a Royal Naval vessel delivering the mail.

If you search BNA under the search key "fleet mail" it produces some great stuff. I'm really enjoying delving into this wartime activity! 

[hanes teulu]

The Times, Oct 12 1942, has an article that explains how mail destined for merchant ships on naval or military service is handled. It also explains the different treatment of merchant ships employed in the carriage of cargo.

Quote - "Inevitably delays occur; ... they are due to the need at times for mail to chase the ships across the sea"

[Brewins girl]

That is so helpful, thank you. I'll check these out at our local library. I'm glad you've enjoyed delving into this. It becomes addictive doesn't it?