Spread of British empire in 1963 Red Cross omnibus

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A postal stamp Omnibus is a set of postage stamps, issued by various countries or territories, on a common theme and often with a common design. Philately has had quite a few omnibus issues, and some of these show spread of British Empire at different times. First British omnibus issue was in 1935, and thereafter the empire has showcased its territorial expanse in the subsequent ones.

Of course, the empire has shrunk, but such issues from the past are an important lesson in history, and of course in geography. In 1963, British territories across the world celebrated centenary of the Red Cross. All stamps had a same design and color, but marked a distinct territory, that was part of the crown in the year. Lets explore these territories by region, and a brief on their subsequent fate.

Indian Ocean and Asian territories
Seychelles islands were uninhabited, before the French and the British established their control. Begining 1812 the control was transferred from the French to the British. In 1903, it became a separate territory from neighboring Mauritius. In 1976 Seychelles gained independence from the British. A popular tourist destination, country has seen many coup attempts since its independence.
A group of islands, inhabited by Arabs, Portuguese, dutch, French and then British since 1810.In 1968 Mauritius became independent, but other adjacent islands are retained by British as British Indian ocean territory.Natives were expelled or relocated from this Chagos Archipelago. UK and US military maintains Diego Gracia base in these islands
Hong Kong was a trading outpost, to Southern China. In 1842 it came under British control after the first opium war. It was a British colony till 1997, when it was ceded back to China as a special administrative region.
Federation of South Arabia, was created in 1962 as a British Protectorate. Aden, an important sea port was controlled by the British, who merged nine small states around Aden to make a federation. The federation was dissolved in 1967, and the region became PDR Yemen, or South Yemen.

So all the four British territories in the Indian Ocean and Asia in 1963, are independent. Hong Kong was the last, to be ceded back in 1997. The year marked an end of the British colonial interests in whole of Asia.

Pacific territories
One of the largest of Pacific island group, with an ancient native population. British took over in 1874, and continued to colonize it till its independence in 1970. Many Indians settled in these islands, as these were relocated by the British to work on sugar plantations
Pitcairn islands are located in Southern Pacific, and is an overseas British territory. It has a population of 35 individuals, all descendants of nine mutineers on a ship, and 12 Tahitian women. It is the least populated territory in the world.
British Solomon islands, located in the Southern Pacific became a British Pacific territory in 1863. Inhabited by aggressive native tribesmen, the purpose of this control was to protect European trading interests. In 1978, islands gained independence.
New Herbedes was a condominium, with a unique governance structure. In this unique arrangement, both British and the French shared sovereignty and had their parallel administrations. The condominium lasted from 1906 until 1980, when New Hebrides gained its independence as the Republic of Vanuatu.
The Gilbert and Ellice Islands was a British colony in the Pacific Ocean. Discovered by the Spaniards, British took control in 1892. Initially a protectorate, it became a colony in 1916, till 1976.Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1978, and the Gilbert Islands ecame part of Kiribati in 1979.
Tonga, an island state in South Pacific has never been colonized. Inhabited by Polynesians, Tonga has been a powerful island monarchy in the region. In 1900, it became a British Protectorate, under a treaty of friendship. This arrangement lasted till 1970.

Five of the six pacific territories Britain had in 1963, are independent countries today. Pitcairn Islands, the smallest of them all, remains the only British overseas territory in the pacific.

Atlantic and Caribbean territories

There were 19 British territories in this region in 1963, and of these as many as eight are currently British overseas territories. Remaining have become independent, however remain part of the British commonwealth. Most of these are island nations, except British Honduras (now Belize) and British Guiana (now Guyana). These two were the last British colonial possessions on American mainland.

The mainland territories
British Honduras was a colony  in Central America, from 1783 to 1973. It became a self governing colony in 1973 and was renamed as Belize. The country became fully independent in 1981. British Honduras was the last continental possession of the Britain on the American mainland.
British Guiana was a British colony, part of the mainland South America. The territory was taken over by Britain in 1821, first from French and later again from the Dutch. It became independent in 1966, and is now known as Guyana.
The Atlantic territories
Located in Southern Atlantic, these islands have been inhabited by Argentine, French, Spaniards and British. In 1982, Argentina had annexed these islands, but were restored back to Britain two months later. These remain as British overseas territory today.
This is a small island in the south Atlantic, home to about 240 individuals. Once it was a thriving trading point, as ships passed through the island to Asia, however this activity stopped after Suez canal was built. Along with St Helena and Ascension, the three island are British overseas territory in the Atlantic.
An uninhabited island in the South Atlantic,, discovered first by the Portuguese, became part of East India company territory in 1659. One of the earliest British colonies, it was an important port, when ships sailed across the cape of good hope. The route lost its importance in 1869 after opening of the Suez canal. Notably Napoleon was exiled to this island and died in 1821.
Third South Atlantic island, that is part of British Overseas territory. Volcanic island, first inhabited in 1815. Also has an airfield, that was used in second world war for refueling. Home to about 800 individuals who live on the island.
Caribbean Islands
Bahamas was inhabited by the natives, when Columbus reached the island in 1492. Occupied by the Spaniards, all the natives were either relocated or died of imported diseases by 1513. For more than 100 years, the island remained deserted,when it was repopulated by slaves, either from Africa, or rescued from Americas. It became a British territory in 1718, and became independent in 1978. Bahamas retains British monarchy as its head of state.
Discovered by Christopher Columbus, the island was under Spanish control, who killed all the natives, and populated the island with African slaves. British took over in 1655, and started sugar plantations on the island. In 1962, country became independent, but has retained British monarchy as the head of state,
Bermuda is a current Overseas British territory in Northern Atlantic. Discovered by a Spanish explorer, British inhabited it in 1612About 64000 people live in 54sqkm area of this archipelago
The Cayman Islands is part of Caribbean islands and a major financial center as the country does not charge tax on income earned or stored. This is a British overseas territory, and was first inhabited after discovered by Europeans.
Caribbean Islands ctd
It was later colonized by Europeans, predominantly by the French from the 1690s to 1763. The French trafficked slaves from West Africa to Dominica to work on coffee plantations. Britain took possession in 1763 and gradually established English as its official language. The island gained independence as a republic in 1978.
Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla was a British colony in the Caribbean from 1882 to 1983, consisting of the islands of Anguilla (until 1980), Nevis, and Saint Christopher (or Saint Kitts). From 1882 to 1951, and again from 1980, the colony was known simply as Saint Christopher and Nevis. Saint Christopher and Nevis gained independence in 1983 as the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, while Anguilla would remain a British overseas territory.
Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 but owing to resistance by local inhabitants, the French settlement and colonization began in 1649. In 1763, Grenada became a British possession, and it was granted autonomy in 1967. Today it is an independent former British colony.
Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean were under various European colonial powers – British, French, Spanish, Dutch and the Americans.These countries traded these islands to each other and currently there are two groups, US virgin Islands and the British Virgin islands. ,
These are part of British overseas territories, located in the Caribbean. It is a tourism and financial center.
Located in the Caribbean, and a British territory since 1814 when it conquered the territory from the French. In 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state
Caribbean Islands ctd
Antigua is located in the Caribbean. Discovered by Columbus, it was colonized by the British since 1632. ,Part of the West Indies, Antigua gained independence in 1970, but retains British monarchy as head of state.
Montserrat is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. More than half of the island is labelled as exclusion zone, due to high volcanic activity.
St Vincent and Grenadines or SVG was inhabited by African slaves brought by France and later Great Britain. It became a British territory in 18th century, till 1979, when it peacefully achieved independence; British Monarch is its head of state.
Mediterranean and Africa
Gibraltar, is located at the mouth of the Mediterranean sea. In 1713, it was ceded to British, by the Spaniards.While Gibraltar has its own government, it remains under the British sovereignty.
Malta was a British possession since 18th century and was the center of its Mediterranean fleet. It achieved independence in 1964,and established its current parliamentary republic in 1974.
Basutoland became a British territory in 1868, at the request of its then monarch. In 1966 it again became independent landlocked country in South Africa – and is now known as Kingdom of Lesotho.
The Bechuanaland Protectorate was a British territory  established on 31 March 1885 in Southern Africa. In 1966 it became independent country – Botswana.
Gambia was a trading outpost, at the mouth of the river with the same name. It served as.a hub for the slave trade. In 1821 it began to be governed by the British, and became a separate colony in 1888. It became free in 1965, and a republic in 1970. For a brief period it merged with Senegal (which surrounds it from three sides), after separating again in 1989.
Swaziland was a British territory till 1968, while still retaining its own monarchy. This land-locked country in South Africa is now named Estawini, and is one of the last remaining monarchy in Africa.

Of the six British territories it had in Africa and Mediterranean, except Gibraltar, all others are now independent. This Red Cross Omnibus from 1963 has 35 issues, each for a distinct British territory or protectorate at that time. Ten of these 35 remain a British territory today. Postage stamps are issued to commemorate an event. These can also be a territorial stamp – especially the various imperial omnibus issues !!!

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