FREE: 1916 India Charity/Cinderella stamp, Madras War Fund, MH/VF

The listing, 1916 India Charity/Cinderella stamp, Madras War Fund, MH/VF has ended.

Up for auction or GIN is an interesting 1916 India stamp, MH/VF showing the H.S. Madras. From a smoke free and Covid free home. Thank you for bidding!

History (summary)
This ship was built in 1914 by British India Steam Navigation Company for BI's Calcutta-Far East service named as Tanda. The ship was taken over by Indian authorities as soon as first world war started, converted to hospital ship and renamed Madras.

The ship was majorly maintained by the people of Madras who contributed greatly for its successful run.

She was returned to BI in November 1919, resumed her Calcutta-Far East service and re-acquired her original name, Tanda. She was sold to Eastern & Australian SS Co in 1924. Following the outbreak of WW2 she was requisitioned to provide passenger and cargo services between Australian and Indian ports.

She was torpedoed and sunk by U-181 off Mangalore on 15the July 1944 en route from Colombo to Bombay and carrying a crew of 177, 12 gunners and 27 passengers, with 18 crew and 1 passenger losing their lives. The remainder were rescued by HMIS Bihar and landed at Colombo.
Source:
https://stampomania.blogspot.com/2009/03/world-war-i-red-cross-related-labels.html