Description

The Gurkhas 200 Years Service to the Crown

2015 marks the bicentennial of loyal Gurkha service to the British Crown. For the past 200 years, Gurkhas have served with British forces in every major conflict, most notably in the two World Wars where they suffered over 40,000 casualties, gaining renown for their courage and loyalty. Indeed, Gurkha soldiers have accumulated 13 Victoria Crosses for their acts of supreme valour.

To commemorate this long and faithful partnership BFPS has produced a special commemorative cover to be released on the 9ᵗʰ June 2015.

This beautifully designed cover uses images that show the Gurkhas in both their infantry and ceremonial roles. A 1st class postage stamp also bearing the image of a Gurkha soldier (Rifleman Kulbir Thapa VC) will be cancelled by a handstamp specially designed for this occasion, the centre of which shows crossed kukris. The knife traditionally carried by the Gurkhas.

Included will be an A4 insert sheet with information about the Gurkhas. The insert and covers will be presented in a cellophane sleeve to create a high quality souvenir to mark the event.

This will be a numbered limited edition of just 200 covers. They will cost £10 each and £6 of this will be donated to the Gurkha Welfare Trust to help them with their vital relief work in Nepal. If all 200 are sold we will be able to donate £1200 to this extremely worthwhile cause.

The covers may be purchased from the BFPS online shop (www.bfps.org.uk/shop). . They are available to order now on a strictly first-come-first-served basis. The covers are also available by post by sending a cheque payable to ‘BFPS CIC to BFPS The Old Post Office Links Place Elie Fife KY9 1AX.