The Royal Mail is reported to have released a stamp that features the image of a Bible that was said to have saved the life of a World War 1 soldier, Private Lemuel Thomas Rees’
The stamp comes as part of a set of six stamps – the fourth set of stamps in its series marking the centenary of each year of the First World War.
In 1917, Lemuel Rees during the Battle of Passchendaele, an exploding German shell landed close by, Rees was hit but was saved by a small Bible that he kept in his breast pocket.
He spent four months in a field hospital and was sent home on leave where he suffered terrible nightmares, reliving the horrors of trench warfare.
On the 13th Of November 1918, Rees died from bronchial pneumonia and the effects of gas. After he returned to the Western Front, he was wounded in a gas attack and eventually died.
The imagery on the stamps features historic memorials and artefacts that have become synonymous with the conflict.
It features portraits of some of the participants, art showing some now famous and moving scenes, poems composed during the war and newly-commissioned artworks of poppies – the symbol of Remembrance.
Philip Parker, Royal Mail, released a statement indicating that the world war claimed a lot of lives and they are proud to present their contributions in marking the sacrifices of those who fought for the country.
“The First World War claimed millions of lives, changed the course of history and transformed the futures of the generations that followed.
We are proud to present the fourth part of our commemorative programme marking the contribution and sacrifice of those who took part.”
The stamps are currently on sale in over 7,000 Post Office branches across the United Kingdom.
