VP8EH 1960 Antarctica

Operator: Barry Williamson

40p Base A - Port Lockroy, Goudier Island, Wiencke Island, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctic Peninsula (Lat. 64 49 S, Long. 63 30 W)

Port Lockroy was the second British base in the Antarctic, built during Operations Tabarin in February 1944.
It's purpose was initially survey, geology, meteorology and botany. From 1950 onwards it was concerned primarily with ionospheric research.

In 1995 it was designated Antarctic Historic Site No. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty.
The buildings were restored, and the site tidied, by BAS in 1996.
Since November 1996, the station has been maintained by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust for the benefit of tourists and visitors during summer.
In 2003, it recieved visits from at least 86 cruise ships and 37 yachts, with approximately 8500 tourists coming ashore.

The first cancelled mail from this post office was dated 12 Fabruary 1944, although the postmark indicated "Falkland Islands Dependancy Graham Land".
The name Port Lockroy was not included in the postmark until 1953 (as Port Lockroy Grahamland").
Port Lockroy probably ranks as the smallest post office in the world in terms of resident population (2, occasionally 3).

From the estate of W2GGE