A set of six Special Stamps will be issued to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and among those featured is former Cobbler Walter Tull.
Tull was born in Folkestone in 1888 and orphaned after the death of his English mother and his Barbadian father. He became a professional footballer and played for Northampton Town. After war broke out, he served in the Footballers’ Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and fought on the Somme. Commissioned in May 1917, Tull became the first mixed-race Army officer to command troops in a regular unit. After fighting in Italy, he returned to the Western Front. On 25 March 1918, he was killed in action. Having no known grave, Tull is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Walter Tull’s great nieces and nephews said: “We are honoured that this Royal Mail stamp is commemorating our great uncle Walter Tull, who died tragically 100 years ago during the First World War.
“While it is a time, for us as a family, to remember respectfully the death of our great uncle in such a terrible war, like so many others, we are also proud of his accomplishments.
“Walter’s life and achievements have been acknowledged and celebrated in a variety of ways for over 20 years. Many of these activities and projects concern challenging and overcoming inequality and discrimination.
“While this year of centenary may provide a particular spotlight on Walter's story and life, we hope that Walter’s example will continue to encourage and promote projects that support inclusion and equality.”
Philip Parker, Royal Mail, said: "The First World War series has been one of our most ambitious stamp projects. Every year stamps have been issued to mark centenaries of the War, and the resulting 30-stamp tapestry is a moving tribute to those who served and participated.”
The stamps and commemorative products can be pre-ordered now from royalmail.com/firstworldwar and are available on general sale from 7,000 Post Offices nationwide from 13 September 2018.