The Australian government pays tribute to its armed forces with a series of stamps in 1940 ~ Published: 2008-08-24 13:54:28

Australian Imperial Forces Issue

By Jeffrey A. Walker

Issue Data

• Scott/Gibbons: 184/196
• Issue Date: July 15th, 1940
• Quantity Issued: 61,240,000
• Printer / Artist: W. C. G McCracken, B. Reilly, Commercial Artist-Photographer
• Printing Method: Line-Engraved, Nickel-Plated Electro Plate
• Plate Arrangement: 320 subjects, Post office sheets of 80 made of 2 panes of 40 (8x5)
• Paper: Thick, Highly surfaced paper

Following the outbreak of World War II, it was decided by the Australian government to pay tribute to Australian armed forces. The Post Office Department assembled 3 members of the armed services for a group photograph to be used for this stamp.

The men who posed for the stamp were (left to right) Gavan Reilly A.I.F., son of the photographer. Charles Henry Bruce R.A.N. and Squadron Leader Arthur Norman Ride R.A.A.F. The nurse appearing in the background is actually Mr Reilly's wife.

A particularly somber end to this tale is that all three men on this stamp never returned from battle. It is particularly fitting, that they should be thus honored on a stamp memorializing men who served their country so well.

Even though the article pertains to the 1p green value, it was a member of a set of 4 stamps, all the same design, but with different colors and denomonations. 1p green, 2p red, 3p Ultramarine and 6p Chocolate. The first two are very common and easy to get into your albums.

The 3 and 6p copies are a bit more challenging with the 3p over $4.00 for used and expect to layout over $10.00 for the 6p, even used! Not as many were printed due to lack of demand. I have provided the illustrations of the 2 I have, in hopes that you will find collecting Australian stamps a fun diversion.

There are a lot of interesting subjects and fine engraved stamps in a collection of Austrailia. Dig in, and have a good time Mate!