Issue date: 11 December, 2023
The determination of most Tristan islanders to return home from their enforced volcanic evacuation in October 1961 began in earnest on 13th April 1962 when islanders Adam Swain and Joe Glass returned to England from the Royal Society Expedition declaring that the island was fit for habitation. It proved a tricky exercise to plan and carry out resettlement. This began when on 9th August 1962 twelve men of the Resettlement Survey Party left Southampton Docks aboard the Stirling Castle, arriving on Tristan aboard the Tristania 8th September 1962. Although officially this was a survey trip, make no doubt that these ten men were never going to return to England – resettlement of Tristan began on that day.
Description of the Stamps
45p - Leaving Calshot Camp - Frank Glass begins his return home outside his Calshot home in March 1963 as he prepares to travel to Tilbury to board RMS Amazon as a member of the Advance Party.
60p - Preparing Beach Access Road - Breaking and moving volcanic stone to make a new road across the 1961 lava field in about May 1963 to access the new small beach that could be used as a landing place. Lars Repetto poses in the centre with his sledgehammer raised, Leonard Glass wearing a sailor’s cap stands to the right, while Joe Glass points into the distance.
£1.10 - Garden Gate Beach - Islanders and their luggage on Garden Gate Beach during offloading of MV Bornholm in November 1963 (Photo: Jim Flint)
£1.80 - Landing at Garden Gate Beach - Interesting image of the scene on Garden Gate Beach on 9th April 1963 during the offloading of MV Boissevain. Bearded Frank Glass strides up the beach, busy drawing up loaded longboats and offshore further boats ply towards shore. The ship is the fishing vessel MV Tristania.
First Day Cover - The First Day Cover illustration shows a Tristan longboat being drawn up Garden Gate Beach during the offloading of MV Bornholm in November 1963 (Photo: Jim Flint)
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