Canada’s post office was created, 16 years before Confederation. At that time, the Province of Canada was given the official responsibility for the post office, until then administered by the British post office. It became one of the first departments to be formed in the new federal government after 1867. When the First World War broke out in 1914 and Canadian soldiers were sent to England, a central post office was established in London and numerous field post offices were created in the new training camps. Soon mobile field post offices were posted on the border of combat zones to serve the soldiers in the line of fire.
This envelope, with the stamp on the right, recognizes three Canadians who grew up on Pine Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, served during the First World War and received the Victoria Cross for gallantry in combat. They are pictured on a stamp issued 21 Oct. 2021 by Canada Post.
Left to right, Lionel “Leo” Clarke (1892-1916), Robert Shankland (1887-1968) and Frederick William Hall (1885-1915). Pine Street was officially renamed Valour Road in 1925. Canada Post said. “A commemorative plaza erected nearby in 2005 features a stone monument in the shape of the Victoria Cross and three steel silhouettes honouring the soldiers of Valour Road.”
“The stamp design features the three heroes, the Victoria Cross medal, the silhouette created to mark their courage, and artistic interpretations of their homes on the former Pine Street.”
Left –Field Service Post Office First World War post card 1918.
Right – Canadian Postal Service (CFPS) hat badge.