Free Postage on Parcels Till Xmas
 

The Times: Frontline troops to get free postage on parcels

Families sending parcels to troops out in Afghanistan and Iraq have been granted free postage by Royal Mail after a public appeal on their behalf by General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army. The instant response from the chairman of Royal Mail, following General Dannatt’s televised remarks from Afghanistan on Sunday, was welcomed last night by the Ministry of Defence.

Allan Leighton, Royal Mail chairman, said he wanted to see “our frontline troops get as much support as possible”.

General Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, spoke out during a visit to see British troops in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. Interviewed on BBC television, he directed his remarks to Royal Mail, leaning towards the camera and saying: “Come on, Royal Mail.” He made it clear he was “irritated” that families of soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq had to pay postage on their parcels. He also used his visit to call for an increase in danger money for troops in the two campaigns, and gave his personal support for a clasp to be added to the Afghanistan operational medal for those fighting the Taleban in Helmand.

After the response from Royal Mail, General Dannatt said: “I am delighted by the support shown by Royal Mail and extremely grateful. This decision to provide a free parcel service to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will mean a great deal to our soldiers and to their families.” Defence sources said that General Dannatt had been in touch with Mr Leighton on a number of occasions to try and persuade him to grant a free parcel post for troops’ families.

Mr Leighton said that the free service would start as soon as possible and last until Christmas. Discussions will be held later between Royal Mail and the MoD about how the free service might be maintained after Christmas.

Bob Ainsworth, Armed Forces Minister, said: “This is great news. I think the troops out in Afghanistan and Iraq, and all their families, will be delighted.”

The details of the arrangement have yet to be fully worked out, but there is expected to be a 2kg weight limit and parcels sent to Iraq or Afghanistan will have to be addressed to a named individual.

Well done Sir,

I for one welcome this as my immediate family have spent over £100 on parcel postage since I arrived in theatre some 3 months ago. Re. the clasp for the boys in Helmand, bring it on, but the money would be better spent on support services for them, IMHO. Money isn't everything, but it helps to know that for 6 months discomfort you might be able to knock a whole in a mortgage. I've mentioned this before, but the Ozzie I work beside has already reacked up $25,000 tax-free dollars doing the same job I do, in all but 3 months, and he's here for another 3. Keep it up Sir.

If MrsG and I were to make up a Christmas parcel for some mate who does not get much mail, how would we address it? I can't see Billy No Mates c/o BFPO etc getting a great reception.

Should we send it to a named unit CO/RSM with a cover note maybe? Or would it cause security probs? Any guidelines on what/ what not to send ie real Listerine?:)

Considering the disruption that must exist in the 2 war zones I would have thought that Royal Mail probably only carry as far as the airhead at BZN or LYN anyway and the mail is then carried by the AT fleet, so not a huge loss to them.

Standing by to be corrected

Fine and dandy as it seems, what guaranteees are on offer that such packages as are sent will arrive without having been rifled en-route?
Recent posts over the road refer.

No guarantee whatsoever - the host nations may object to some of the items we would bring/send out due to their cultural and religious differences I'm guessing (iPods etc are a different matter altogether though.......)

When I was out (yonks ago), I think it was Tesco that put together a shoebox for every serving member in theatre at the time. In it was an assortment of goodies, including so much curry-flavoured Doritos dip that we couldn't GIVE it away!!! Things like that boosted the morale massively - bring that on again Tesco/Asda/Marks and Sparks!!!!

:ok:

Nice one Sir Richard. Anything to improve the life of all involved in these areas would be gratefully received. Hats off to the Royal Mail in this instance. Wondering how long it is until it is abused though by people saying 'well its only a little over the limit' <img>

Kitbag wrote:

'Considering the disruption that must exist in the 2 war zones I would have thought that Royal Mail probably only carry as far as the airhead at BZN or LYN anyway and the mail is then carried by the AT fleet, so not a huge loss to them.

Standing by to be corrected'

That's about right.

All BFPO mail goes to Mill Hill in London where it is separated depending on where the BFPO no is. Germany and the like go via normal mail but Iraq and Afg are a different matter and you're right about going to the APOD for further travel.

G

gijoes answer raises a question about who is rifling through the guys parcels, unfortunately. Lets hope it ceases, nothing quite like getting that parcel fom home, still got the letters that came with mine.

Great sentiment but the practicalities will I fear scupper this initiative. We (in TELIC) often have to wait some considerable time now for parcels to arrive because there isn't the lift to bring them into theatre with higher priorities bumping the mail off. If there is a big spike in parcels this will only make matters worse (as it does every Christmas). I hope they don't resort to using shipping to get our goodies out here!!!:sad:

As I said, great sentiment but we'll see.......

Smudge

Why, if all BFPO mail is moved to a central location to be sorted, then all moved to Brize for onwards carriage by the AT fleet, are all BFPO packages not free to send?? There are several thousand people in the Falklands who are not on "ops" (according to the politicians!) who should be entitled to it as well.

SMT

Gainesy

I think you voiced a sentiment held by a lot of people, self included - any answers ?

Would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who knows.

Well its good to hear some positive news for once. There is so much to gripe about these days, well done Sir for making a stand and well done Royal Mail for doing something good and not letting bean-counting take priority as it so often does these days.

If the post can be sent until Xmas then why not all year?
This just an act to boost morale until Xmas then sh!t on the troops the day after.

Typical just so typical... next will be the announcement that troop levels are to be reviewed in the New Year with a reduction in OOA manning.. that also comes out every year just before Xmas...year on year followed by no action...hey but it looks good in the press and raises morale for the troops stuck in the sand pit for a about 2 nano seconds.

Fine that lowered the flag a bit, how to raise it:

1, All troops on OOA on Xmas day to receive a bonus £2000 (tax free.)
2, Free post all year.
3, Increase phone calls to home while on OOA. If you have kids it should be more......... a lot more.
4, An air bridge that gets you home on time for R+R.
5, An MT service that turns up to meet you at BN then drops you at home not your station MT section. Also collects you from home on the day of deployment. Even if you live out.

If I could choose just two of the above it would be number 3 + 5.

What else could improve OOA's?

How do I send an Xmas parcel to our Armed Forces?
 

Forgive me if I've chosen the wrong forum - I am a civvie and am searching for info on how/where to send parcels to soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan. I have the support of a couple of work colleagues and am trying to get my company involved in helping to send parcels to front-line men/women as a small gesture of support from home.

This looks the closest thread, although posts are quite old - can anyone tell me how to find out more? The UK Post Office allows family etc to send parcels for free - but only to named soldiers. I do not have any direct connection to the military (if that's the right word) and do not know how to approach getting this information. Most organisations sending groups of parcels require you to have at least 100+ and I can't promise that many!

I would also like to know what you would find most useful in a parcel. We have estimated a budget of £10 each - what would be the best things to include?

Do you have facilities to play MP3s, AVIs? Yes, I know a bit about IT.
Are there items we take for granted that you would wish for (steady here boys) I'm thinking random stuff like earplugs, moisturiser, sherbet fountains....

Clock's ticking boys.