Guernsey Post is to issue six stamps to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Guernsey, which are to be released on 1 May 2015.
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post said: “Following five long years of German occupation, 9th May 1945 is a day that will never be forgotten in Guernsey's history – and we felt it was important to include commemorative stamps to mark the 70th anniversary.
“The images in this unique set of stamps are iconic, both individually and collectively; five of the images depict real life happenings from 9-12 May 1945 and the sixth is of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Guernsey on 7 June 1945 – just one month after Liberation Day.”
The six stamps comprise:
·
Brothers
Roger Bott and Peter Bott on the quayside in St. Peter Port harbour enjoying
what was probably the first chocolate they had ever tasted, which was given to
them by British soldiers from Force 135;
·
Members of
the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Band playing for the crowds in St. Peter Port on 12 May 1945;
·
Colonel H R
Power, OBE, MC Chief Civil Affairs Officer, No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit, Force
135, making slow progress along the Glategny Esplanade on route to the Court
Buildings for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony on 9 May 1945;
·
Guernseyman
Petty Officer John D Langlois of the Royal Navy, who arrived in Guernsey on 12
May 1945, smiling into the camera alongside his sister who greeted him on North
Esplanade;
·
Landing ship
tank US 516 arriving at the Old (Inner) Harbour of St Peter Port, watched by
crowds on 12 May 1945; and
· King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in Candie Gardens for presentations by the Bailiff of Guernsey during their visit to the island on 7 June 1945.
The stamps are available to pre-order now by
visiting www.guernseystamps.com or by contacting philatelic customer
services on (01481) 716486.
STOP PRESS
A First Day Cover containing all six stamps
will be given as a gift of posterity by Guernsey Post to all children in
education – almost 9,000 children - throughout the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Further details will be released by the
States of Guernsey in due course.
-End release-
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant, 01484 687040/07811 133973
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, 01481 733524
Note to editors:
Date of issue: 1 May 2015
Designer: Bridget Yabsley
Printer: Cartor Security
Printing
Values: GY Letter, GY Large
Letter, UK Letter, EUR Letter, UK Large Letter, ROW Letter
Process: Offset Lithography
Stamp sizes: 30mm deep x 48mm wide
Paper: 110gsm
Unwatermarked / PVA Adhesive
Perforation: 13.25 x 13.25
Sheet: 10
Cylinder: A