Valour and Victory
We have released a set of stamps to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which will take place on Thursday 8 May.
The incredible people featured on the set of 10 stamps were working for the war effort both at home and behind enemy lines, and volunteering from across the Commonwealth. It was the extraordinary contributions, the courage and dedication of these individuals, and so many more, that led to the eventual victory in 1945.
The individuals featured on the stamps are: George Arthur Roberts, Mary Morris, Tommy Macpherson, Violette Szabó, John Harrison, Bhanbhagta Gurung, Thomas Peirson Frank, Mahinder Singh Pujji, William Tutte and Lilian Bader.
Each of the 10 stamps in the main set features an image of the person being honoured, capturing their wartime role – be it pilot, nurse, Commando, SOE operative, codebreaker, engineer or firefighter.
Royal Mail will be applying a special VE80 postmark on stamped mail in the week of the anniversary that takes place on Thursday 8May. The business is also supporting VE Mail, a letter-writing initiative connecting schoolchildren with Second World War veterans.
Emma Gilthorpe, CEO, said: ‘Behind every victory of a nation, there are countless unsung heroes whose courage and sacrifice shaped the future of the world. On VE Day, we remember not only the leaders and generals, but the silent warriors whose contributions echo through history. For the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Royal Mail is proud to issue these stamps honouring the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who fought for freedom and peace.’
The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order at www.royalmail.com/valour and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 14 stamps is available. The stamps go on general sale from Thursday 1 May.
