News and press releases

Royal Mail charts almost 350 years of British Army apparel with six new stamps.

On sale today (20th September) the British Army Uniforms stamps are the first in a series of three military themed issues which examines the rich history of the UK’s armed services uniforms.

From flamboyant troopers to camouflaged combatants, each of the six stamps feature a soldier representing a significant stage in the development of the British Army Uniform.

Launched at Firepower - The Royal Artillery Museum, the set starts with the 1999 uniform of a NCO in the Royal Military Police on the first 1st Class stamp and ends with a buff-coated Trooper from the Earl of Oxford’s Horse Guards from 1661 on the final 78p stamp.

British Army Uniforms will be followed by RAF Uniforms in 2008 and Royal Navy Uniforms in 2009. Previous military-themed stamps issues include Crimea in 2004 and Victoria Cross in 2006.

Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail said: "These stamps provide a fascinating insight into the enormous changes in the uniforms of a working soldier, from the colourful and flamboyant designs of the 17th Century to the camouflage of today.

"I’m sure that this important slice of military history will prove popular with the public when they see them on millions of letters and parcels every day."

Brigadier Hickson, Director of British Forces Post Office said: "I am thrilled that Royal Mail are producing this range of stamps. The stamps perfectly illustrate the huge variety in uniforms worn by both servicemen and women in the Army over the past 350 years."

The stamps and commemorative products are available from Post Offices. Alternatively, to find out more about the stamps and other stamp issues from Royal Mail please go to www.royalmail.com/stamps.

Ends

Issued by Royal Mail
148 Old Street
LONDON
EC1V 9HQ

NOTES TO EDITORS

Stamp Technical Details:

1st - First class inland letter Rate - NCO Royal Military Police 1999
1st - First class inland letter Rate - Tank Commander 5th Royal Tank Regiment 1944
1st - First class inland letter Rate - Observer Royal Field Artillery 1917
78p - Rest of World airmail up to 20gm - Rifleman 95th Rifles 1813
78p - Rest of World airmail up to 20gm - Grenadier Royal Regiment of Foot of Ireland 1704
78p - Rest of World airmail up to 20gm - Trooper Earl of Oxford’s Horse 1661

www.royalmail.com