1896 FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE to BURY ST EDMUNDS via LIVERPOOL PACKET, with uncommon franking of 6 x 1d.

Standard rate post UPU was 2 1/2d so either a heavy letter or a bit of philatelic artistry… or both?

Sent from the 2nd Batallion of the West India Regiment. British army regiment comprising entirely of black recruits (originally many of whom were slaves). By 1897 there were just two batallions, one always based in Jamaica and one in Sierra Leone.

1896 FREETOWN - BURY ST EDMUNDS, LIVERPOOL PKT, franking 6 x 1d. West India Rgmt