Royal Mail helps troops in Bahrain connect with loved ones

Royal Mail has gifted a red post box to HM Armed Forces in Bahrain to ensure that troops can post Christmas messages home to loved ones as well as having a small reminder of home.

Simon Barker, UK Process Operations Director at Royal Mail, said: “We were delighted to play Father Christmas and gift an iconic red postbox to troops in Bahrain, especially as we approach our busiest time of the year. We would encourage everyone to make sure they post by the BFPO and UK posting dates and to always use the postcode or BFPO number. We wish all our colleagues in the BFPO and those serving overseas a very Merry Christmas.”

The box travelled over 4,300 miles to reach its destination and was transported by the Royal Navy to reach its final position.

Commander Steve Forge Royal Navy, head of logistics at the UKMCC in Bahrain, said: “Nobody likes being separated from their loved ones at Christmas time, so it’s hugely important for morale that our sailors, troops and airmen have parcels to open on the day.”

The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) delivers mail to servicemen and women across the globe with the help of Royal Mail. The BFPO posting dates are posting dates are by 26 November for operational HM Forces and 14 December for static HM Forces

Royal Mail handled over 140 million parcels last Christmas with the BFPO processing 155 tonnes of forces mail which was sent to sailors, soldiers and airmen all over the world.

The BFPO Christmas Free Mail Service (CFFMS) allows friends and families of service personnel in some locations to send letters and small parcels (up to a maximum of 2 kg) to them free of charge during this period.