Royal Mail: Inspirational new stamps highlight vital female roles in WW2

A new series of stamps is issued in tribute to the vital contribution of women during the Second World War.

The main set of 10 stamps illustrates the wide range of work that women undertook during the war years.

Included is a rare photograph showing female codebreakers working at Bletchley, where they operated the complex cryptographic machinery.

Four other stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, highlight the courageous work of the ferry pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary – known as the Spitfire Women.

David Gold of Royal Mail said: “These stamps are a tribute to the millions of women who contributed to the war effort and Allied victory.

“Their bravery and sacrifice are often overlooked, but their work helped drive some of the post-war social changes that eventually led to equal opportunity and equal pay legislation.

“We must also remember the women who supported the war effort at home, managing households despite the relentless demands of total war.”