My Channel Islands Stamps
1943
The German forces invaded and occupied the Channel Islands between June 30 and July 3, 1940 following an air raid by German bombers and remained there until May 1945. Although local inter-island mail services continued, all overseas mail was stopped, except for some mail handled by the Red Cross. Up until this point the Channel Islands had used postage stamps issued by the General Post Office in Britain. At the time of the occupation the stamps in use were King George VI defintitive stamps (1937-1939) as well as the Postage Stamp Centenary set of 1940.
Jersey
Michel 3 and 8
"Scenes of Jersey"
Issued: From 1st June 1943 to 25th Feb 1944, Jersey issued a set of six pictorial stamps featuring scenes from around the island of Jersey. The stamps were designed by Edmund Blampied, a Channel Islands inhabitant and like the earlier local issue stamps of Jersey and Guernsey, Blampied’s stamps had to be approved by the Germans before being approved for release.
Of particular note is the 3d stamp, the highest value stamp in the set. If you look at the number '3' you can see a 'G' and an 'R' each side of it. G&R represents the Royal Cypher of the British King, George VI and this is thought to be Blampied's attempt to undermine the German authorities by having a reference to Britain in the island's stamp issue. Had the German's realised the significance it is certain that the stamp would have been rejected before being issued.
This wasn't Blampied's only attempt at resistance. In 1942 he was commissioned to design the island's 6d banknote. Once again he added a touch of resistance by adding a large 'X' to the words 'SIX PENCE' on the reverse of the note. If the note was folded the 'X became a 'V', the sign for victory.
