Ivor McCrae Wakefield and the CWGC

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission had Ivor McCrae Wakefield recorded as J. M. Wakefield. After I had notified them of the error with supporting documention they have amended their records. As previously mentioned on other blog entries he is commemorated on The St. Kitts War Memorial World War One plaque.

From the Western Front to St. Kitts

A number of narrow-gauge engines were constructed during World War One by Britain to haul supplies and transport personnel to and from the front line on the Western Front. These rail systems were known as the War Department Light Railways (WDLR). Other combatants also used light railways on the Western Front.

One of the locomotives, a 'Motor Rail' Open design LR2156 (Builder's number 435 of 1917), found a new life in St. Kitts after the war. It became a workhorse on the St. Kitts narrow gauge railway pulling wagons transporting sugar cane from around the island to the central sugar factory.

It was rebuilt for this new role by being converted from 2ft to 2ft 6ins gauge by its makers and numbered 3663 of 1924. It was repatriated to the United Kingdom and was re-gauged and refurbished with a diesel engine. It has made appearances at various events and its home is presently on the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. 

One of those obsure links between World War One and St. Kitts.

Festiniog Railway: http://www.festrail.co.uk/
For information about WDLR and other light railways used on the Western Front during World War One: http://www.wdlr.org.uk/
The sugar light railway on St. Kitts has been converted into a tourist attraction since the sugar industry closed in 2005: http://www.stkittsscenicrailway.com/

St. Kitts-Nevis 'War Tax' Stamps

The "War Tax" stamps were issued during World War I to help fund the war effort.   Generally these stamps were regular stamp issues that were overprinted with the words "WAR", "WAR TAX" or "WAR STAMP".

The War Tax Acts in most colonies and countries stated that the War Tax stamps were to be used in addition to whatever postage fees were due on the item being mailed (postcards, letters and parcels). While the stamps were supposed to be used just to pay for the War Tax, many times they were also used to pay part of the postage and registration fees (as long as the total amount with the war tax was correct, it appears that most countries did not seem to mind).

St Kitts-Nevis followed the pattern of the other Leeward Islands colonies. In October 1916 the ½d stamp appeared overprinted “WAR TAX”. Then in August 1918 there was the issue of a special printing of a 1½d stamp, in orange, this time overprinted ‘WAR STAMP”.

'WAR STAMPS. By Rule made in Council on 12th February, 1917 the St. Kitts-Nevis 1/2 d. green (Columbus design) was surcharged WAR TAX. Owing to the demand, on account of increased postage rates, for a 1-1/2 d. stamp, in July, 1918, a St. Kitts-Nevis (Columbus design) Stamp of the value of "one penny half penny" (orange colour), surcharged WAR STAMP, was printed and issued throughout the Presidency. The issue of these stamps ceased after the conclusion of peace.'
- p.121 A Handbook of St. Kitts-Nevis. 1920

Officer Cadet Ivor Wakefield

Officer Cadet Ivor Wakefield's service records have been copied and sent to me by the National Archives in Kew, but as I am 4,000 miles away I will not be looking at them just yet. Something to look forward too and that should finally close the case on him. Every avenue available has been explored I think.