A new set of stamps is being issued in tribute to women’s vital contributions during the Second World War.
The main set of 10 stamps illustrate the huge range of work women undertook during the war years.
What is featured on the stamps?
The stamps feature a rare photograph showing female codebreakers working at Bletchley, where they operated the complex cryptographic machinery.
A further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, showcase the brave 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 the Allied victory.
“Their bravery and sacrifice is often overlooked, but their work helped to drive some of the post-war social changes that eventually saw equal opportunities and equal pay legislation.
“We must also remember the women who supported the war effort at home, managing households despite the unceasing demands of total war.”
How did women contribute to the war effort?
With thousands of men away serving in the armed forces, British women took on a variety of new jobs during the First and Second World Wars.
There were more than 640,000 women in the armed forces, in the Women’s Land Army, the Women’s Royal Navy Service, the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) amongst other organisations. The most notable member of the ATS during the Second World War was the then Princess Elizabeth. She trained as a driver and mechanic and reached the rank of Junior Commander.
They also played a vital role on the home front, taking on new roles previously viewed as “men’s work”, as mechanics, engineers, munitions workers, air raid wardens, bus and fire engine drivers.
Their work proved so vital that in December 1941, a law was passed stating that all unmarried women aged 20-30, (later extended to 19-43), had to either join the armed forces, work in a factory or work on the land with the Women's Land Army.
How can you buy the new stamps?
You can currently pre-order the stamps over on the Royal Mail website, including a Presentation Pack for £16, the full stamp set for £9.50 and a miniature sheet for £5.60.
All these items and many more will be available from May 5.
