Royal Mail bringing in big change to to ‘all stamped letters’ in May

The main collection features 10 stamps celebrating men and women who played vital roles in the war effort.

Royal Mail has unveiled VE Day 80 commemorative stamps to honour “silent warriors whose contributions echo through history”. The main collection features 10 stamps celebrating men and women who played vital roles in the war effort.

To mark the anniversary in May, Royal Mail will also apply a special VE80 postmark to all stamped mail. George Arthur Roberts features on one of 10 stamps, as well as Thomas Peirson Frank, Lilian Bader and more.

Emma Gilthorpe, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: “Behind every victory of a nation there are countless unsung heroes whose courage and sacrifice shaped the future of the world.

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“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.”

Tommy Macpherson features on one of 10 stamps that honour men and women who made extraordinary contributions during the Second World War to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, as well as John Harrison and Bhanbhagta Gurung.

Roberts was the first black man to join the London Auxiliary Fire Service in 1938. Mary Morris, a wartime nurse, who documented her experiences in diaries that recount tending to soldiers who returned from Dunkirk, also features.

Harrison served aboard the Royal Navy’s HMS Belfast. He was responsible for maintaining its key “A” and “B” gun turrets. Gurung is remembered for his bravery under fire in Burma during Operation Longcloth, a feat that earned him the Victoria Cross.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “80 years ago, the freedoms we enjoy today were defended by our remarkable Second World War generation.”

Dr Tara Knights from the Royal British Legion added: “We owe it to all those from the Second World War generation to thank them for their bravery and sacrifice in the defence of freedoms we still enjoy to this day.”