Membership Eligibility If you have served in the RE (PS)/(PCC)/(PCS) you are eligible to join the PCS Branch of the REA. If you served in the ATS or WRAC and trained as a Postal & Courier … READ MORE
Postie News
WRAC Association Centenary Stamp of Approval
To help celebrate the Centenary of the formation of the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Association and to support fundraising for the new WRAC Lady statue to be unveiled at the National Arboretum early 2020, the British Forces Philatelic Service (BFPS), in conjunction with the WRAC Association will be producing a special commemorative cover to be issued on the 1st December 2019.
The cover bears an image depicting women soldiers in various roles during the past century. A Royal Mail Scottish 1st Class definitive stamp (lion rampant) was chosen for the cover to reflect the Association’s ‘Lioness’ theme. This will be cancelled by a bespoke BFPS special handstamp numbered 3225
Two versions of the cover will be available; a standard unsigned version (£7.50) plus a signed and numbered limited edition (£15.00). The latter will be signed by Dame Kelly Holmes, Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment. Dame Kelly served with the WRAC and is a Life Member of the Association
All covers include an A4 double-sided information insert and will be presented in a protective cellophane sleeve making a very collectable souvenir of the Association’s Centenary.
All profits from the sale of these covers, after production costs, will be donated to the WRAC Association to support their great work.
collectable commemorative covers can be ordered from the BFPS online shop from the middle of November 2019 at www.bfps.org.uk
Bereavements
Hannelore (Bumble) Heath
It is with regret that we have learned of the passing of Hannelore the wife of Bill Heath, who passed away 12 January 2021 at Bury St Edmunds hospital.
Our condolences to Bill and the family.
RIP and REspect Hannelore
Spr Dave Maxwell
It is with regret that we have learned of the passing of Dave Maxwell, who passed away in Scunthorpe on 24th December 2020.
The funeral arrangements for Max are as follows:
Wednesday 27th Jan 2021 at 11.30 Hrs. Due to Covid restrictions and limited numbers, his wife Tracie invites anyone that knew Max to his virtual service, be using the following URL: www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast
Log in and password are
67991 and yexbjmgc
Our condolences to the family.
RIP and Respect Max
WO2 Bill Skeel
It is with regret that we have learned of the passing of Bill Skeel, who passed away in Coulsdon, Surrey January 2021.
The funeral arrangements for Bill are as follows:
Friday 22nd January 2021 at 10:00 am at Downs Crematorium, Bear Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 3PL.
Family flowers only, please make charitable donations to the British Heart Foundation.
Our condolences to the family.
RIP and REspect Bill
Sgt Arthur Kerr
It is with regret that we have learned of the passing of Arthur Kerr, who passed away in Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear on 4 January 2021.
Arthur joined the army as a boy, enlisting in the Royal Signals. He left the services and at some point in time join the Post Office as Postman in Edinburgh. He later re-enlisted into PCS. It is believed he had two spells in the orderly room in Mill Hill and he also served in Hohne and Herford.
His funeral is to take place at Blythe Crematorium on 22nd January at 1.45 pm.
Due to Covid restrictions and limited numbers, his son Derek invites anyone that knew Arthur to his virtual service, be using the following URL: www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast
Log in and password are ID. 6677 Password zybxzrfu
Our condolences to the family.
RIP and REspect Arthur
Forces News
Veterans New Railcard
Government fulfils promise to veterans with new railcard.
Military veterans to get cut-price train travel to help boost job prospects and bring them closer to family and friends.
Military veterans will get cut-price train travel to help boost job prospects and bring them closer to family and friends, with a new railcard on sale from Armistice Day, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today (22 January 2020).
Available from Armistice Day this year, the railcard will extend discounted train travel to the more than 830,000 veterans not covered by existing discounts.
Vetrans’ ID Card
18 February 2019
The launch of a Veterans’ ID Card has been announced.
The delivery is to be rolled out in two tranches:
Phase 1: The Veterans ID Card will be provided to all Service Leavers only, as part of the discharge process with effect from today, and retrospectively to those who left on or after 17 December 2018.
Phase 2: Applications from the wider Veteran Community will be encouraged once the process has been agreed. Information on how to apply will be made available closer to the time, before the end of 2019.
The UK Armed Forces Veteran ID Card
The Ministry of Defence will be launching a new Veterans ID card on 18 February which will enable public and charitable sector services to instantly recognise the service of a Veteran. This card will provide proof that a Veteran has served in HM Armed Forces in line with the Government definition of a Veteran, which is one day’s service.
Currently, there is no way for existing Veterans to easily prove the fact that they have served, and the administrative burden on providers when verifying that a person is a Veteran can be considerable, both in time and cost. This card will allow you to confidentially verify that someone has served in the Armed Forces.
However, this card will not be held by all Veterans as it is being rolled out in tranches and some genuine Veterans in need may not have the capacity to apply for one.
Therefore, please do not take the absence of a Veterans ID card as proof that a person is not a Veteran. Instead continue to use your existing processes to verify their Veteran status.
If you are asked questions about the ID card, please refer Veterans to the Veterans UK helpline number and they will be able to provide the relevant information, details below.
Telephone: 0808 1914 218
Website – www.veterans-uk.info [Read more…]