For the fallen

Our five-year Special Stamp programme to commemorate the Great War has won the ‘Philatelic Campaign of the Year Award’ at the World Post & Parcels Awards.

Regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the mail and express industry, for over 20 years the World Post & Parcel Awards has celebrated the successes of some of the greatest delivery brands from around the globe.

The World Post & Parcel Awards categories and criteria are designed to recognise the challenges and initiatives of the global post and parcel industry. The Philatelic Campaign of the Year Award rewards the postal organisation that can demonstrate the most value delivered from their philatelic campaign in the past year.

In March 2014, we announced we were to publish a five-year Special Stamp series to commemorate the First World War. The series was issued between 2014-2018, and featured 30 stamps, with six stamps produced each year.

The first stamps were issued in July 2014 and included a portrait of 15-year-old soldier Private William Tickle, who was killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Stamps featuring a painting of a poppy and lines from the poem ‘For the Fallen’ by Lawrence Binyon, were also issued.

The stamps illustrated the role of the services, women, and civilians during the war, as well as the contribution of the Commonwealth and how artists, including writers and painters, interpreted the events.

At the time, Stephen Agar, MD consumer & network access, said: ‘The Great War changed the course of world history in ways which are still being felt today. It’s why we took the decision to produce 30 stamps over a five-year period.

‘To commemorate all those who were involved is a major undertaking so we have consulted widely, including taking advice from the Imperial War Museums, senior figures within the armed services, and other organisations, including the Royal British Legion.’

Helen Grant, the minister for the WW1 centenary, praised Royal Mail's ‘long and distinguished history of recording special events and anniversaries with commemorative stamps.’

‘Postal workers played a really important role in the war with many displaying gallantry and heroism of the highest order,’ she said. ‘I hope that these stamps will help to bring home the meaning of the centenary to everyone that sees them.’

Matt Parkes, director stamps & collectibles, said: ‘It is truly gratifying to win this award. The series of stamps was one of the most ambitious commissioning projects we have ever undertaken and was the subject of intense research to create an inclusive and respectful commemoration that proved to be extremely successful with our regular customers and the wider public.’

The stamps, as well as a huge variety of Royal Mail First World War collectible items, are on sale at www.royalmail.com/firstworldwar.