New agreement ensures continuation of free frontline parcels service for British forces

A free parcel service for the families of troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq is to be extended, it was announced today.

The free service has proved extremely popular with families of those serving overseas in the frontline since its launch in September. The current arrangement was due to expire in December but under a new deal agreed today between the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail, it will now continue after Christmas and is expected to last as long as British forces are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Colonel James Swift, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh based in Basra, stressed how important it was for personnel serving in Iraq to receive letters and parcels from home.

Over the past few weeks, in the run-up to Christmas, around 100,000 parcels a week have been sent free of postage to around 14,000 frontline personnel, providing them with gifts, non-perishable food items and home comforts.

Under the new deal, the costs of continuing the free frontline parcel scheme will be shared jointly by Royal Mail and the BFPO. Relatives and friends can take parcels weighing up to two kilograms to any of the UK’s 14,150 Post Office branches for onward posting to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as to a Royal Navy ships in the region.