In February 1921 an article appeared in Stamp Lover , the magazine of the then Junior Philatelic Society (JPS), (now the National Philatelic Society), whose Editor was Fred J Melville. This was to the effect that stamp collecting was a great solace to invalids and during the war (1914-18), members had testified to the value of their stamps during long and tedious days in hospital whilst wounded.
Leonard A Gibbens replied to the article suggesting that a branch be formed of JPS invalids. He asked for a notice to be inserted in Stamp Lover asking those interested to send particulars. All such names went into a Register so that they could be put in touch with other collectors with similar interests wanting to exchange or correspond.
Three months later Mr Gibbens was disappointed at the response which was in single figures. Almost a year later he was still optimistic.
He wrote to a number of ILCS (Invalid and Lone Collectors Section) as it was then, suggesting the circulation of a Correspondence Magazine. After he drew up the rules the magazine was despatched in July 1922. The second number went out in September 1922.
In May 1923 the title of the magazine was changed to The Philatelic Circulator and by July 1923 the ILC Section was celebrating with its birthday with a special 'bumper' magazine, the 11th to be circulated.
In 1939 Mr Gibbens relinquished the position of Hon. Secretary due to private reasons, and a notice to the effect appeared in the PC in October 1939.
Mr H Norman Smeaton took over the duties of Secretary having been Editor for some years but he died in 1941.
W Lloyd Johnson then became Secretary and Miss Standert the Editor.
After the death of Lloyd Johnson, Percy H Windsor did the Secretary’s job for a while until he emigrated to Canada.
Miss Standert then became Secretary, Treasurer and Editor.
Around 1950 the ILC Section broke away from the JPS to become a Society in its own right (The Invalid and Lone Collectors Society). The JPS was offering very little to members outside London and two subscriptions had been required, one to the JPS and 2/- per annum to the ILC.
In 1953 Mr S B (Den) Wells took over all positions until 1963 when Mr David MacAlpine became Treasurer. Mr Wells continued the other positions until 1981 he retired in 1981.after 28 years.
Then Mrs Jean Osborne became Editor and Miss Ruth Wilson Secretary. At the end of 1984 Miss Wilson stood down and Mrs Peggy Hicks took over. Mrs Osborne also became Treasurer after the death of Mr MacAlpine.in 1987.
Around 1991 John Dutton (281) from Liverpool attended a British Philatelic Federation’s Congress in Liverpool and spoke to their officials about this Society. As a result this Society received Honorary Membership of the Federation. When this Federation was replaced by the Association of British Philatelic Societies (ABPS) the Society retained its Honorary Membership, and is listed with a write-up in the ABPS Handbook and Directory.
During Mr Wells’s time there had been an Exchange Section run by Alastair Shaw and then Miss Mary Sanger-Davies. In 1989 her brother, Joe, took over the Exchange Section until his death in 1995, aged 87. David Hughes took over in 1996.
During 1995 Mrs Osborne retired as Editor and Revd Harold Mason took over from No.726.
Stamp News Cuttings were first noted in 1943 compiled by G T Hague. He continued until 1971 when G Peter Clemons took over. May 1983 saw Harold Hall compiling the cuttings until 1986, followed by Kenneth E Head until 1998. Clayton Willey took over until 1999. Then it was the turn of Geoff Longbottom up to 2002. Ken Lewis answered the call until he left the Society in 2006. In 2007 Mal Tedds then volunteered to relieve Revd Mason who had filled in temporarily.
In 1999 the membership stood at 83 and subs were £1.
In 2002 there was concern about the cost of one of the packet section and Peggy Hicks offered to run the Foreign and GB Packets. Colin Stafford had taken over the Commonwealth in January 2002 with Steve Wiseman dealing with the 2p and 5p packet of loose stamps.
As of March 2003 there were 66 members.
By the end of 2003 Peggy Hicks had passed over the Foreign section to Steve and the GB section was closed, who also took control of the Commonwealth packet. All packets now being administered by one person.
During 2003 Peggy Hicks put out a call for a new Secretary and Paul Mapp was instated.
Secretaries
(July 1922 -1939) Leonard A Gibbens
(1939 – 1941) H Norman Smeaton
(1941 - ?) W Lloyd Johnson
(No dates) Percy H Windsor
(? – 1953) Miss Standart
(1953 – 1981) S B (Den) Wells
(1981 – 1984) Miss Ruth Wilson
(1985 – 2003) Mrs Peggy Hicks
(2003 – 2008) Paul Mapp
Treasurers
(July 1922 – 1939?) Leonard A Gibbens
(? - ?) Miss Standart
(1963 – 1987) David MacAlpine
1987 - ) Mrs Jean Osborne
Editors
(July 1922 -?) Leonard A Gibbens
(? – 1941) H Norman Smeaton
(1941 – 1953) Miss Standart
(1953 – 1981) S B Wells
(1981 – 1995) Mrs Jean Osborne
(1985 - ? ) Revd. Harold Mason
Thanks again to Peggy Hicks for this information.