Description

Coming Soon

September 22 sees the Postal & Courier Service (PCS) Reserve element of the British Military being disbanded.  The loss of these Reserves is a poignant event and especially so as 2022 marks 140 years of continuous service from 1882, when the Army Post Office Corps was formed.

To mark this historic occasion, 162 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps has commissioned this special commemorative cover for issue on the 24 September 2022 to coincide with a parade and flag-lowering ceremony at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks Grantham.  The event will celebrate 140 years of continuous TA/Reserve service and will incorporate a flag-lowering ceremony to signify for the removal of the PCS trade from the Reserves and a disbandment parade for 883 PC Sqn. The Reserve element of the PC trade will be removed from the ORBAT by May 2023; 883 PC Sqn will be disbanded and 871 PC Sqn will re-role as a transport squadron under 151 Regt RLC. PCS will continue to have a presence in the Regular Army and British Forces Post Office.

The design of the cover symbolises the history of the PCS by featuring the cap badges of the three Regiments and Corps that it was part of during its 140 years’ existence.  The 1st Class stamp has been cancelled by a bespoke BFPS special handstamp numbered 3242 produced for the occasion.

Special Announcement: This cover also marks the end of the design and production of Forces covers by the British Forces Philatelic Service (BFPS). Effectively this is the last one to come off of our production line and signals the end of a 10 year period of Forces covers issues from us. Further details will be forthcoming at a later date.

As the handstamp says ” END of an ERA” for us too.