Commemorating both the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) is issuing a two-part stamp collection.
The ten stamps shares powerful imagery and stories from two of the Second World War’s most significant campaigns.
This combined issue has been curated alongside Ivor Ramsden MBE, Director of the Manx Aviation and Military Museum.
New stamp collection
Issued on April 29, the ten stamps tell the stories of both campaigns: ‘D-Day 80 – The Road to Paris’ and ‘Operation Market Garden’.
The first five stamps depict the ground-breaking Normandy landings of June 1944, advancing through to the liberation of Paris.
The first stamp in this collection features footage captured on D-Day by Manxman Norman Clague of the Army Film and Photographic Unit, whose material is used for the first time upon a stamp.
The second half of this issue includes five stamps on Operation Market Garden, the bold Allied military endeavour to hasten the end of the conflict by securing key bridges and establishing a direct route into Germany through the Netherlands.
Throughout this campaign, a number of Manx soldiers from the Manx Regiment saw battle.
Their faces are proudly displayed upon the stamps. Flying Officer John Clague, Private Robert Cojeen and Major Robert Henry Cain VC, who became the first and only Manxman to be awarded the Victoria Cross following his bravery during this battle feature prominently.
IOMPO releases this issue in partnership with the UK Government D-Day 80 campaign, honouring the brave heroes of the Battle of Normandy through this collection, remembering those from Manx-shores who lost their lives at war.
The collection includes an intricately designed and informative Prestige Booklet; a 28 page publication containing in-depth text and powerful archival imagery documenting the liberation of Europe and the events of 1944.
The ten stamps are presented across two sets of First Day Covers and/or Presentation Packs; one covering ‘D-Day 80 – The Road to Paris’ and one covering ‘Operation Market Garden’.
All items are available to view or pre-order now at www.iompost.com/WW2Liberation
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