Abyssinian Field Force

This is a collectors term that is used to describe mail sent from Abyssina by the expeditionary force under the command of General Sir Robert Napier between January and June 1868.

King Theodore of Abyssinia imprisoned Captain Cameron, British Consul at Magdala along with his entourage. The refusal to release Cameron was in defiance of the rules of diplomatic immunity. The punitive expedition led by Napier landed in Annesley Bay on 28 November 1867. By the following April the force had stormed and captured Magdala. King Theodore committed suicide, Magdala was burnt, captives rescued and the force withdrew.

The Army Postal Corps was in operation for the campaign from January until June 1868. Letters posted by the troops en route to Abyssinia were cancelled with the "124" numeral cancel at Aden. Adhesives used during the campaign were normally cancelled "FF". Covers were back-stamped with an unframed circular date-stamp "FIELD FORCE POST OFFICE ABYSSINIA" in black or red.

Contemporary Indian stamps were used, the most common value seen being the 6a.8p. slate of 1867. This value made up the Naval & Military Officers postal rate via Southampton of 6d (6a.8p.) per ½ ounce.