Alderney is a small island 10 miles off the coast of Normandy. To keep it British, large fortifications and an airfield were built. When trouble came in 1940, from the Germans not the expected French, it was decided to evacuate the 1200 residents. The Germans then took the bait and made their own large constructions. So there is much to see and an active airport to get there. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage, and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.
Alderney began issuing separate stamps in the early 1980s. A stamp issued by Alderney is valid for postage all over the Bailiwick of Guernsey. A Bailiwick is a jurisdiction under a Bailiff who is appointed by the Crown. This stamp shows off the history of the airport on the occasion of it’s 50th anniversary. This stamp further shows off the de Havilland Heron 1 airliner, as operated in the 1950s by Morton Air Service. The airliner seems huge with it’s four engines, but only held 17 passengers. This points to the still persistent problem of trying to maintain a regular air service to a tiny island with few potential travelers.
Todays stamp is issue A3, a 29 Pence stamp issued by Aldereney on March 19th, 1985. It was a five stamp issue in various denominations. According to the Scott Catalog, the stamp is worth $3.00 whether used or unused.
Being so close off the coast of Normandy, Alderney residents were subjects of William the Bastard as Sovereign of Normandy. The Norman conquest saw William transfer to the Conqueror and King of England. From then on the island was British but still French speaking and the site of a French monastery. Over the centuries, many English Kings made half hearted, incomplete attempts to fortify the island. Some saw this as folly as there would be little way to defend and resupply an island so close to France. The construction projects imported many Irish and British laborers that gradually made the island less French. In 1940, it was decided to evacuate the island and the Germans took it without a fight. Germany continued the work on fortifications with their Todt organization importing Polish, Russian POWs and Jewish laborers to work on the forts. There were also 600 German army soldiers. Alderney was bipassed on D-Day and the end of resupply saw the situation of the German occupying force become quite desperate. This is what had been expected by earlier British critics. Germany held on to Alderney until a week after the war in 1945 and indeed 300 agreed to stay on to work on cleanup so the residents could come back 6 months after the war.
Morton Air Service was started by Sammy Morton as the first private post war airline operated out of the old Croydon Airport in London. Morton already had some fame as having been a flying partner of British Aviatrix pioneer Amy Johnson. Morton Air Service had a fleet of mainly de Havilland Doves but also a single example of the Heron as seen on the stamp. In 1953, Morton Air Service took over Olley Air Service and with it it’s charter and scheduled service around the Channel Islands. In 1958, the service was merged into British United Airways. The Morton Heron on the stamp made the last scheduled departure from Croydon airport before it closed. To recognize that, a different Heron is painted up like it guards the entrance to the Croydon Aerodrome Hotel.
The Heron was not a successful airliner. 149 were built starting in 1950 but the engines were badly underpowered and on the Heron 1 the under carriage did not retract which greatly limited top speed. The aluminum wings were also very subject to cracking. Later versions addressed some of this and some airlines in Japan and the USA stretched and reengined their copies to make them more useful. None are still in service.
The Alderney airport is still in operation though the terminal in antiquated and the roof leaks. The annual passengers are half the 1980s rate even before COVID. Aurigny Ar Service is the only airline and only flys to Guernsey using Britten Norman Triislanders. A local airline Air Alderney tried to form in 2017. The acquired 2 Brittan Norman Islanders and hoped to offer 5 destinations in England, France and other Channel Islands. Though they got a Certificate of Airworthiness, they proved unable to commence operations.
Well my drink is empty and I must admit I am attracted to the idea of a Channel Island tour. Come again tomorrow for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting.