Royal Mail releases new stamps honouring British armed forces on Armistice Day

A set of six stamps honouring the service of the nation's armed forces has been revealed by Royal Mail.

The stamps go on issue on Armistice Day, 11 November.

This year, Armistice Day marks 110 years since the Battle of the Somme, which began on 1 July 1916 and became one of the defining battles of the First World War.

Specially commissioned artworks by British artist Matthew Cook feature on all six stamps, reflecting different aspects of remembrance.

Each has been painted with a colour palette inspired by the red poppy.

“Remembrance holds a profound place in our national life,” David Gold of Royal Mail said.

“Through these stamps, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have served our country through two world wars and many other conflicts.

“Matthew Cook’s poignant artworks provide a fitting and powerful way to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many courageous men and women across the generations.”

Mr Cook has served as a reservist in the Parachute Regiment and The Rifles and been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Remembrance has a very special place in my life,” he said.

“I was delighted to be asked to illustrate these stamps and to take on the challenge of such a sensitive and significant subject.

“It is always a privilege to illustrate stamps for Royal Mail, and this project felt particularly special.”

Mr Cook previously contributed images of Royal Ascot, the Henley Regatta and the Highland Games for a set of Royal Mail commemorative stamps.

Armistice Day

Armistice Day is observed in Britain every 11 November and commemorates the agreement signed by the Allies and Germany that brought an end to the First World War.

It also serves as a reminder of those killed in that conflict, and in wars since.

The agreement came into effect “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918.

The day is often referred to as Remembrance Day in other parts of the Commonwealth and as Veterans Day in the United States.

Peace negotiations were completed seven months after the armistice agreement, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.