This J.C. Wilson Soldiers of the Queen WLS-E09 Type I E-4 cover with Song Back 14 “Pass the Hat for your Credit’s Sake, and Pay—Pay—Pay” was postally used from the British Army South Africa Field Post Office on July 17, 1900, with an FPO cancellation, to Mrs. J.M. Dunssette, initially in Belleville, but rerouted to Pakenham, Ontario, Canada, for delivery and has a Pakenham August 20, 1900 cancellation on the front and back of the cover. It also has a Belleville August 20, 1900 cancellation on the reverse. The cover has the notation “No stamps, on active service”.

The cover has been inscribed with “From E.T. Austin, Regt. No. 7575, RCR”, sent by a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment (of Infantry, at that time). Edwin T. Austin was discharged on Christmas day, 1900, and was awarded the South African medal with clasps. Austin’s address was registered as Murray Street in Belleville, so the recipient, assumed to be on Bridge Street West in Belleville prior to moving, was likely an acquaintance of some kind.

The cover bears the Canadian Contingent oval hand stamp dated July 21, 1900 in South Africa.

The cover was sent during the time following the capture of Johannesburg on 31 May and the capital of the Transvaal, Pretoria, on 5 June, at which point the war became more of a guerrilla action.

Right, the reverse of the cover.
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