New Armed Forces stamps illustrated by Bath artist and former reservist
Six Special Stamps will be issued on Armistice Day
A set of six new stamps honouring the service and sacrifice of the nation's Armed Forces has been illustrated by a Bath-based artist and former reservist.
The artworks were painted by Matthew Cook, who served as a reservist in the Parachute Regiment and The Rifles and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said: "Remembrance has a very special place in my life, having served as a reservist in the Parachute Regiment and The Rifles and been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. 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."
What the stamps show
Royal Mail said each of the artworks has been painted using a colour palette inspired by the red poppy, a well-known symbol of remembrance.
The six stamps feature:
Saluting an RAF flypast
Royal Marines bugler at the Cenotaph
First World War soldier
Laying of wreaths at Tyne Cot Cemetery
Second World War soldiers
Laying of wreaths at a village war memorial
The release comes in the year that marks 110 years since the Battle of the Somme, which began on 1st July 1916 and became one of the defining battles of the First World War.
Royal Mail reaction
David Gold from Royal Mail said: "Remembrance holds a profound place in our national life. 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."
Background to Remembrance
Royal Mail said Remembrance Sunday has its origins in Armistice Day, which began in 1919.
On that day, approximately 1.1 million British and Empire military war dead of the First World War were formally remembered.
After the Second World War, the ceremonies moved to Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday closest to 11th November each year.
They now commemorate the dead of all wars and conflicts since 1914.
When the stamps are issued and how to pre-order
The stamps will be issued on Armistice Day, 11th November.
They are available to pre-order from today at www.royalmail.com/remembrance2026.
The stamps go on general sale from 11th November.