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On September 29 Royal Mail released a stamp issue celebrating the elite British fighting force that is the Royal Marines.

A set of eight from counter sheets shows elements of their modern-day operations and roles, from photographs, while a miniature sheet of four features illustrations by Graham Turner of a historical selection of uniforms.

The Corps of Royal Marines is the UK's commando and amphibious force, ready to deploy anywhere at short notice, in small groups, for special operations. Its motto is per mare, per terram (by sea or by land).

It traces its origins back to the formation of the Duke of York & Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot in 1664. New regiments were raised as required, and in 1755 they became a permanent part of the Royal Navy.

Royal Marines endure the longest training period of any infantry in the world, acquiring the skills needed for operations such as amphibious landings and night raids, including in hostile terrain.

The sheet stamps were designed by Osborne Ross, and are available in se-tenant strips of four. The miniature sheet was designed by Webb & Webb Design, and its border reproduces Denis Dighton’s painting of The Fall of Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The issue was printed in litho by International Security Printers.

1st class AVIATION OPERATIONS
The Royal Marines were the first military unit ever to perform an insertion of combat troops by helicopter, during the Suez Crisis in 1956. Today Marines personnel are part of the Commando Helicopter Force, which can support operational units as required.

1st class COLD-WEATHER OPERATIONS
During the Cold War, the Royal Marines were tasked with reinforcing NATO’s northernmost flank in Norway. Cold-weather training is carried out annually in northern Norway.

1st class MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS
Royal Marines were active during the Falklands War in 1982, much of which was fought on hills. In particular, the liberation of South Georgia combined mountain warfare with amphibious and Arctic operations.

1st class ARID-CLIMATE OPERATIONS
In modern times, Royal Marines have played key roles in the Gulf War of 1990-91, the Iraq War of 2003-11 and operations in Afghanistan from 2001-21.

£1.85 COMMANDO TRAINING
Commandos have been trained at Lympstone in Devon since 1940. The training centre welcomes 1,200 recruits each year, for one of the most physically demanding courses in the world.

£1.85 BAND SERVICE
An independent element of the Royal Marines is its band, the musical wing of the Royal Navy, which takes part in ceremonial events ranging from the Festival of Remembrance to the Lord Mayor’s Show. Its personnel also perform medical and logistical support duties.

£1.85 AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS
Royal Marines played a prominent role in the Normandy landings in 1944, among many other amphibious assaults. Today the Amphibious Task Group is kept at high readiness for swift deployment, often from specialist naval ships.

£1.85 MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS
A specialist 550-man unit of the Marines, the 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, is responsible for guarding the UK’s naval nuclear weapons.

MINIATURE SHEET

1st class SEA SOLDIER, DUKE OF YORK & ALBANY'S MARITIME REGIMENT OF FOOT, 1664
Early uniforms were yellow, simply because it was the favourite colour of the regiment’s colonel.

1st class GRENADIER, CHATHAM DIVISION, HM MARINE FORCES, 1775
The Marines started wearing red uniforms from 1755, when they became part of the Royal Navy.

£1.85 SERGEANT, 4th BATTALION, ROYAL MARINES, 1918
Khaki was worn in combat operations from the 1880s until the 1940s.

£1.85 OFFICER, 48th ROYAL MARINE COMMANDO, 1944
Camouflaged smocks began to be worn by commandos towards the end of World War II.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS

The presentation pack traces the history of the Royal Marines across four centuries. Along with stamp cards and the standard first day covers, there is a choice of limited-edition medal covers.

PRICES
Set of 8 stamps £11.20
Miniature sheet £5.60
Presentation pack £17.70
Stamp cards £5.85
First day cover (stamps) £14.10
First day cover (mini sheet) £7.40
Medal covers from £19.99

VERDICT
COMMEMORATIVE WORTH 4/5
Britain’s elite fighting force has a global reach and a worldwide reputation

QUALITY OF DESIGN 2/5
The photographs are varied, but cannot give much of an impression of how the Marines operate

WOW FACTOR 3/5
This is an intimate look at a relatively secretive branch of the armed forces