On the 14th January 2011, Gibraltar will release a magnificent set of 8 stamps plus a miniature sheet commemorating the Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. The stamps are official licensed products of the British Legion and have been spectacularly designed by world class designer Stephen Perera who during his professional design career has produced stamps for several European countries including Vatican and Malta plus more than 50 Gibraltar stamp issues in the last two decades!  

Each of the 8 stamps for this issue features one of the Wars in which the Royal British Legion has been helping a hand to those in need within the Poppy which is the most recognisable symbol for War Veterans. The Poppy is also the Official logo of the British legion since its inception

The British legion was formed on Sunday 15 May 1921 by the amalgamation of four other associations: the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers; the British National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers; Comrades of The Great War and the Officers’ Association. The amalgamation of these four diverse bodies can be attributed largely to two men Field Marshall Earl Haig and Mr T F Lister of The Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers.

 In 1971 the Legion celebrated its 50th anniversary and was granted the ‘Royal’ prefix in its title by HM Queen Elizabeth II.  Today, The Royal British Legion safeguards the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces. It is one of the UK’s largest membership organisations and is recognised as custodians of Remembrance best known for the annual Poppy Day Appeal which was first held on 11 November 1921.

 Some of the bloodiest fighting of World War One took place in the Flanders and Picardy regions of Belgium and Northern France. The poppy was the only thing which grew in the aftermath of the complete devastation. McCrae, a doctor serving there with the Canadian Armed Forces, deeply moved by what he saw, wrote the famous ‘In Flanders Fields’ which in turn inspired Moina Bell Michael to pursue her goal of establishing the red poppy of Flanders fields as a universal symbol of tribute to the men who died in World War I and the surviving veterans of that war.

 The Legion’s values are reflected on the Gibraltar stamps: Reflection: through Remembrance of past sacrifice in the cause of freedom; Hope: by remembering the past, a younger generation has the chance of a better future; Comradeship: through shared experience and mutual support; Selflessness: by putting others first; Service: to those in need and in support of the whole community.

 The Legion’s mission is also reflected on the stamps as they aim to be the No. 1 provider of welfare, comradeship, representation and Remembrance for the Armed Forces community.

published December 23rd, 2010