Wilkes Post Office Open 8 Feb 1969
1969 was the first year of operation of Casey Station. So technically Wilkes post office was closed. However Casey was only named days before the Thala Dan departed on the relief voyage and there was insufficient time to make a Casey cancel, and so the Wilkes cancel was used. The Post Master for 1969 was Syd "Chick" Henderson (Radio Operator). Chick Henderson cancelled the mail in his cabin on the Thala Dan on arrival while they were at the ice edge. Chick Henderson shared a cabin with John Gillies on the Thala Dan and this information has been provided by John, along with the scan of the first cover shown below, and a photo of Chick Henderson cancelling the 8 Feb 1969 mail in their cabin.
Syd "Chick" Henderson cancelling mail in his and John Gillies' cabin on the Thala Dan. Note all the 5 cent stamps and the Royal cover.
