Royal Mail issues stamps to mark 75th anniversary of Windrush arrival

The company has collaborated with five Black British artists to produce eight illustrations for the collectible stamps as the country is set to mark the 75th anniversary of MV Empire Windrush

Royal Mail has unveiled several new commemorative stamps as Brits prepare to mark a historic Windrush Day.

Thursday, June 22, will be the 75th anniversary of the arrival of hundreds of Caribbean migrants in the country aboard the Empire Windrush – the start of what has now been dubbed the Windrush Generation.

The new stamps, which will be displayed at Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives from Thursday, have been designed by five Black British artists and feature stunning drawings of people aboard the ship, as well as tributes to the various contributions made by the generation.

Designs depict the migrants’ efforts teaching and working, as well as nods to the generation’s cultural contributions with one stamp showing carnival goers playing steel drums.

Another shows a cricket match, while one illustration shows marchers in protest in reference to the hostility and challenges faced by Windrush migrants.

Artists Kareen Cox, Bokiba, Tomekah George, Alvin Kofi and Emma Prempeh, who are all of Caribbean heritage, all worked on the eight designs for the project.

Royal Mail bosses said the collectibles were a celebration of the generation’s legacy, which they hoped could be pass on to educate future generations.

Winnie Annan-Forson, the head of diversity, equity and inclusion, said: “As Britain marks the 75th anniversary of the 1948 arrival of the MV Empire Windrush, we are honoured to mark this key event with a set of special stamps, featuring vibrant illustrations from talented artists that celebrate the culture and contribution of the Windrush generation and those who followed.

“We are delighted to have brought their stories to life in this special way, passing their legacy on to future generations.”

The Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury in Essex on June 21, 1948, with 1,027 people predominantly from the Caribbean disembarking the following day to take up jobs in order to help boost the British economy following the close of World War II.

Windrush Day, to commemorate the historic occasion, was introduced in 2018 to mark the 70th anniversary following campaigning by Patrick Vernon.

Speaking about the stamps’ unveiling, Mr Vernon said: “The Royal Mail recognise this important landmark of the contribution of the Windrush Generation to Britain and the impact of this legacy since 1948.

“Back in 2018 I did lobby and launch a petition for the Royal Mail to have commemorative stamp as part of the 70th anniversary.

“I am glad that there has been some flexibility in their criteria and forward planning in time for 2023 especially as many of the Windrush Generation are passing and this is a great time to acknowledge their achievements.

“I am sure these stamps will be a collector items and inspire a new range of collectors from 3rd and 4th generation of Windrush Generation.”

A special postmark stamp to reference the historic occasion will also be used for five days only from Wednesday.

The stamp will read: “MV Empire Windrush, Port of Tilbury, 22nd June 1948.”

Royal Mail is one of various organisations and companies marking this year’s Windrush Day.

Spotify has also rolled out a public playlist featuring Black British music legends, including Beverley Knight, Stormzy and pianist Winifred Atwell, who was the first Black woman to hold a UK number one.