Falkland Islands Sights – Cape Pembroke Lighthouse

Falkland Islands: Locate Rate Booklets (2026)

The new local letter rate stamps from the Falkland Islands feature a beautiful photograph taken from New Island by Sarah Stannard. The stamps are available in booklets of 10 stamps. Currently the local letter rate in the Falklands is 38p. Looking out to sea, the photograph includes the wreck of the vessel Protector III, which ran aground and was beached on New Island in 1969. The shipwreck is an historical landmark and is part of the conservation efforts on New Island. High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  Booklet CoverBooklet InsideBooklet Stamp

Seasons: Summer

This Summer stamp issue is the first in a series of 4 issues under the theme of "Seasons". Officially, the Falklands summer months are December, January, and February. With the longest hours of daylight and the warmest weather, it is the peak time for wildlife viewing. Sea birds and the 5 breeding penguin species are well settled in to their large noisy colonies, which by now are bursting with chicks.  The average summer temperatures are 14°-15°, but if the sun is shining and the wind drops, temperatures can reach around 25°. Weather conditions can be very changeable though. One moment it can be warm and sunny, with dark imposing skies the next.  The summer months are the busiest for the tourist industry. Cruise ships are in most days, and land-based tourists are always arriving via the UK and Chile flight routes. Many of these tourists travel to the Falkland Islands in the summer to see the abundant wildlife, particularly the penguins.  38p Falkland Lavender (Perezia recurvata). Found on East and West Falklands, the Falkland Lavender plant flowers throughout December and January. It has no scent, so the name likely comes from the colour of the flower, which may be any shade from lilac to blue to white. It is a native perennial sub-shrub which forms woody-stemmed mats up to 30cm high. Its dark green leaves are curved and spiky. The flower is daisy-shaped with long narrow petals. It grows in rocky and sandy areas, often alongside diddle-dee heath and near the coastline.  86p Queen of the Falklands Fritillary Butterfly (Yramea cytheris). Most commonly seen in January, this beautiful and fast-flying insect is the only breeding species of butterfly in the Falkland Islands. It is medium-sized and orange in colour, with small black spots and a white streak near the upper tips of the wings. The wingspan is 32mm. Butterfly numbers are boosted in good years, when it is warm and dry. Very few are seen in cold, wet summers. Its lifespan on the wing is estimated to be around 5 or 6 days. These butterflies often feed on the nectar of the Falkland Lavender flower. The native yellow violet is the most likely food of its caterpillars, with eggs being laid on the yellow violet leaves.  £1.18 King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus). Every summer, tourists flock to Volunteer Point on East Falkland, where the vast majority of the Island's king penguins are found. With their striking orange cheeks and vibrant chest colours, the kings are the largest species of penguin found in the Falklands. With over 1500 pairs, the Falkland Islands are the most northern edge of the global range of this species.  The king penguin stands at 70 to 100cm tall, and weighs in at 10 to 16 kg, with males being slightly larger than females. They dive up to 300m for their food, catching squid and small fish, particularly lantern fish. They have the longest breeding cycle of all the penguin species, lasting 14 to 16 months. They do not make nests, instead both parents take turns incubating a single egg on their feet. Juvenile kings are brown and fluffy.  £1.52 Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina). Elephant seals can be seen throughout the summer, with the largest population (over 2000) on Sea Lion Island. They are the biggest species of seal. Males are enormous, weighing up to 4 tonnes and measuring 14 to 19 ft in length. They are easily identified by their large trunk-like nose, which can produce very load roars. Females by comparison are much smaller, weighing less than a tonne and measuring only 8 to 9.8 ft.  In the summer months most of the pups have been weaned, and remain ashore without feeding, relying on their fat reserves. Pups group together for up to two months, learning survival skills from each other on the beach or in small pools of water. When their fat reserves have been depleted, they go out to sea for the first time in search of food.  Elephant seals are capable of holding their breath for 2 hours and diving as deep as 2000 metres, preying mainly on squid and fish.  About the Artist  Local artist Louise Clarke, originally from Northern Ireland, has been living in the Falkland Islands since 2013. She specialises in highly detailed and life-like coloured pencil drawings of animals. Her original drawings and personal commissions of wildlife and pets sell locally and internationally. High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetFirst Day Cover

Aurora Australis

The aurora is one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena visible from Earth. It is so dramatic that many people, even those with only a passing interest in astronomy, really want to see it. Many organised trips, cruises, and flights are arranged to see the popular and stunning sight of the aurora.  Aurora can regularly be seen from the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the world. In the southern hemisphere the Aurora Australis (southern lights) can, at times of peak activity also be seen from the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, southern South America, the South Island of New Zealand and from Tasmania. Whilst in the northern hemisphere the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) can be seen regularly from locations such as Alaska, Norway and Iceland.  There are numerous myths and legends about the aurora. Most of these are focused on the northern hemisphere because of the scarcity of populated areas at and near the Antarctic circle. Consequently, there is little in the way of legend from the indigenous peoples of the southern hemisphere, there are however a few Aboriginal and Māori legends regarding the aurora. These include, dancing of the spirits, and great burning or bushfires in the skies. Most of the legends have a common thread, linking spiritual, ancestral and supernatural forces. Despite vast geographical distances between areas where aurora is seen, many cultures see the aurora as a bridge between worlds, whether between life and death, human and divine or the earth and sky.  In 1610 Galileo Galilei, using a primitive telescope made observations of the Sun and discovered sunspots. By measuring the number of sunspots on the solar disc, it is apparent that the Sun has a distinctive eleven-year cycle of activity. The peak and lower levels of this activity are called the “solar maxima” and “solar minima”. The intensity of auroral displays tend to follow this cycle, with a distinctive peak at solar maxima.  Auroral displays are caused by the “solar wind” material ejected by the Sun. If this incoming solar wind reaches the vicinity of the Earth, material may be attracted by the Earth’s magnetic field in the upper atmosphere near the polar regions. This material collides with other particles and atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere, and releases energy in the form of light, which then causes the formation of colourful auroras in the polar regions of the Earth’s atmosphere.  The Aurora Australis (and Borealis) appears as an oval centred on the Earths geomagnetic poles which are offset from the geographical poles by between 8 to 10 degrees, this equates to approximately 500-600 kilometres. This offset from the geographical pole in the southern hemisphere results in the geomagnetic pole being closer to locations such as McQuarrie Island and New Zealand rather than the Falkland Islands. The size of the auroral oval is dependent on the quantity of incoming material from the solar wind. which is itself dependent on the level of activity on the Sun. If the solar activity is at a higher level, then the oval may thicken and extend northwards, and aurora may be seen much further north than usual.  With the naked eye, most auroras appear white or light green. A camera will however show far more detail and colour. Green aurora is produced by the collision of particles with oxygen at a height of about 100-150 kilometres. If there is significant auroral activity red and other colours may also be seen. Red aurora is caused by the solar wind impacting oxygen in the upper atmosphere at a height of 200 km or more. Consequently, locations north of the auroral oval may at times of increased auroral activity show red auroras sitting above the green aurora. Rarer displays of yellow, purple and blue auroras are caused by material interacting with nitrogen in the upper atmosphere.  On some occasions, the Sun can erupt a huge amount of material in the form of a “coronal mass ejection” (CME) An individual CME may comprise over a billion tons of matter that, subject to the Earths position relative to the Sun may reach the Earth. This material then impacts Earth’s magnetosphere and may cause powerful auroral displays in large regions around Earth’s polar regions. CMEs can also disrupt communication and cause damage to satellites, electrical transmission systems, and cause power cuts.  Following the 2013 peak, solar activity reached minima in 2018/19, which was then followed by a peak in 2025. Originally The 2024/25 peak had been predicted to continue at a low level of activity than the 2013 peak. However, this proved not to be the case and there have been some spectacular displays, including one in May 2024 and a further dramatic display in October 2024. The October 2024 display has been regarded as one of the most dramatic for over 70 years. This resulted in displays of the aurora being seen as in the southern hemisphere as far north as Patagonia in southern Argentina and Chile as well as South Africa and Perth, Australia, and as far south as Madeira and Florida in the northern hemisphere.  The four Falkland stamps are based on recent images and were taken from East Falkland around Stanley by members of the public. All the images show the distinctive red aurora.  The 38p stamp shows a red aurora with Cape Pembroke Lighthouse in the foreground.  The 86p stamp is from a corral near Sapper Hill.  The £1.21 stamp shows a Land Rover in the foreground in Mink Park.   The £1.52 stamp is from the Stanley by-pass road, near Surf Bay. The Totem Pole shows signposting distances to various places in the world. Originally created by military personnel, signs have been added by many visitors.  Text by Howard L.G. Parkin MBE. BSc. BEd. FRAS High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below - SetFirst Day Cover

Bodie Creek Suspension Bridge Centenary

This is an entirely personal perspective on the building of a bridge one hundred years ago which I have never seen, on a distant island I have never visited. The bridge is the Bodie Creek Suspension Bridge near Goose Green in the Falkland Islands and my grandfather, Charles Peters, was the Chief Engineer responsible for building it.  The information here comes mainly from family stories plus some information I have discovered elsewhere since.   Way out in the middle of nowhere, beyond a place called Goose Green there is a most unlikely looking suspension bridge crossing a creek. It is rusting away now. The timbers are rotten and the structure is so unsafe it has been closed to vehicles and pedestrians for years.  This Special stamp issue, commemorating the centenary of the opening of the bridge, features some of the photographs that my grandfather took at the time for his progress reports.  The Falkland Island Company (FIC) was actively involved in all aspects of life on the Falklands at that time, so naturally their sphere of influence included the sheep farms across the islands. The FIC decided to consolidate sheep farming at Goose Green. The sheep farmers at Walker Creek in Lafonia found it took five days to walk the sheep around the sea inlets to Goose Green. To shorten the journey, they needed a bridge to span 400 feet across the Bodie Creek.  Apart from Charles Peters as Chief Engineer, the team included the foreman, Mr E. S. Crawford, a mason, and Mr Evans, a carpenter working for the FIC. For the manpower and energy required to construct the bridge they relied on the physically fit and strong local farmhands such as Jock Pettersson.  There was no industrial base on the island. No ironworks or engineering factories, so the bridge had to be imported. They ordered the bridge from David Rowell & Co. in London. It cost £2,281.00 and was shipped to the Falkland Islands on the SS Ballena.  The foreman, Mr. E. S. Crawford, was a mason so he directed the construction of the footings for the two towers and the bases for the ramp on the Southern bank.  There were only two machines available for the team to use. One was a cement mixer, and the other was a stone breaker. As you can imagine, the stone breaker was incredibly noisy and generated clouds of stone dust. People could hear it all the way back in Goose Green when it was running.  The team of men who worked on the bridge were the local sheep farmers. They were the only workforce available, so everyone pitched in. A real team effort. There were no cranes, no earthmovers, no trucks; just convoys of men with wheelbarrows as they moved the rubble or brought down the concrete. There was a hut that was used as an office. It contained a table and a couple of benches. The benches were boxes which could open out to make a bed where my grandfather slept sometimes. The foundations for the base at both the northern end of the bridge had to be blasted out of solid rock using explosives then every stone had to be taken away in a wheelbarrow. With no cranes, how on earth could they lift the assembled 40-foot-tall towers into place? Charles found an abandoned schooner-rigged yacht and he adapted the twin masts to form an improvised lifting gear by means of ropes and pulleys. And it worked well, as can be seen on the 83p value.  Construction was started in October 1924 and the bridge was completed in July 1925 – less than a year’s work.  After the bridge had been built, work on the approach roads was completed by the end of October 1925, enabling the first sheep to be brought across the bridge in time for the new shearing season. If you want to learn more about the bridge and people involved, please visit the website http://www.bodiecreekbridge.com  Text by Steve Peters. High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetFirst Day CoverBodie Creek Bridge  

Gentoo Penguin

This Gentoo Penguin stamp issue is the third in a series of five issues based entirely on fantastic photographs submitted by members of the public. Five penguin species make the Falkland Islands their home, including the King, Macaroni, Gentoo, Southern Rockhopper and Magellanic. Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papuaHeight: 71-78 cm Length 78-84 cmWeight: 5-8 kg Males weigh heavier than femalesLife expectancy: 10-15 years in the wildBreeding age: 2-5 yearsPredators: Sea Lions are the main predators at sea. At the colony Skuas and Striated Caracaras take eggs and small chicks. This is the second largest Falkland penguin, it has a distinctive white bar over the crown of the head, a long orange and black bill, a blue-black back and under parts silver-white, and orange feet. It is very inquisitive, although easily scared from its nest if approached too closely by humans. The gentoo penguin breeding sites are some of the easiest and most accessible to visit. The colonies can be up to 5km (3 miles) inland and reached by traditional, often circuitous, routes; known locally as penguin highways. The gentoo equivalent of rush hour occurs on their ‘highways’ in the early evenings when many penguins return from the day at sea. Breeding colonies range from 7 to 7000 pairs. PopulationThere are approximately 85 breeding colonies in the Falklands, although some do move from year to year. There are 17 on the outer islands, 32 on mainland West Falklands and 36 on mainland East Falklands. In 2010, the Falkland Islands held the largest breeding population of Gentoo penguins in the world, with an FC census recording 121,500 breeding pairs. Numbers in the Falkland Islands do fluctuate, but have averaged about 100,000 pairs over the last 75 years. Gentoo penguins are resident in the Islands throughout the year and distributed all around the coastline. Breeding cycleNest building starts in September using diddle-dee from nearby plants, grasses, small stones, or even hard lumps of mud. Two large round white eggs are laid in October. Chicks are brooded until they are 3-4 weeks old when they form small crèches. The crèches become larger as the chicks grow bigger, and eventually the chicks move away from the nesting site and towards the shorelines, often waiting on beaches for their parents to return from sea with food. The young are fully moulted by late January, and ready to go to sea in late February. Gentoo penguin chicks engage in what is known as the ‘chick chase’ – where they must chase their parents to get fed. It is thought that this behaviour builds up strength of the chicks and also encourages them to venture towards the sea edge and eventually follow the adult birds out to sea. Going to seaGentoo penguins are inshore foragers and generally do not venture more than 20km from the shores of the Falkland coast. In the summer, whilst raising chicks, they leave on daily trips departing the colony at first light and generally returning from early evening onwards. Gentoo penguins are opportunistic feeders with great variation in prey ratios between colonies. In the Falklands, they feed on a variety of lobster krill and other crustaceans, but squid and fish (blue whiting) are also important food. In the winter, Gentoo penguins remain around the Falklands coast and they may disperse further afield from their breeding colonies. ConservationThe global population is around 387,000 pairs and indications are the trend is stable to increasing. The population appears to have increased in the south of its range, while annual monitoring of the Falkland Islands’ population indicates a positive trend over the past 25 years. Based on the overall population increase across its range, this species has been down listed as IUCN Least Concern. Text provided by Falkland Conservation High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetFirst Day Cover

40th Anniversary of the Opening of Mount Pleasant Airport

Mount Pleasant Airport, formally RAF Mount Pleasant and now the Mount Pleasant Complex, is a UK Ministry of Defence Joint Operating Base in the Falkland Islands. It is operated by the British Armed Forces and is used for air operations, including both military and civilian flights. Opened in 1985, it was constructed following the Falklands Conflict to bolster the islands' defence capabilities and serve as a major airbase. The airport replaced previous RAF facilities at Port Stanley Airport.  The original decision to build an airport in the Falklands was made in 1982. The following year Michael Heseltine, the Secretary of State for Defence, announced that the decision had been made to build the airport at Mount Pleasant rather than Stanley as, despite the remoteness of the location and the need for the long road to Stanley, it was a more cost effective and straightforward solution than upgrading the airport at Stanley. Building Mount Pleasant Airfield was a significant achievement, particularly given the logistical challenges (apart from stone and water everything had to be shipped from the UK) and the strategic importance of the project. The first flight to the new airfield landed 12 May 1985. Despite having to slow down to avoid arriving early, 6 new world records were set during the inaugural flights, for each leg of the journey and for the overall time (including the refuelling stop at Ascension) of 18 hours 28 minutes. Similar records were set two days later on the return flights which took just 17 hours and 22 minutes. Waiting to welcome Flight 3759 were Sir Rex Hunt and Major General Peter de la Billiere, Commander British Forces Falkland Islands, together a crowd of thousands. The inaugural flight marked the completion of the first phase of the airport that had taken just 16 months. The second phase, which included the operational and accommodation buildings, was completed the following year and Mount Pleasant became fully operational on 1 May 1986.  Among the many dignitaries aboard the inaugural flight was Michael Heseltine. In his speech he explained many of the benefits of the new airport. The ability to land wide-bodied jets would transform defence operations on the Islands and it would play a major part in the islands’ economic and social development as once completed it would offer an International Airport to Civil Aviation Authority standards for use by the public, linking the Falklands to the outside world assisting the growth of both trade and tourism. The sense of security that the Mount Pleasant complex and runway offered then to the people of the Falklands has not diminished today, providing its valuable link with the UK and its representation of a huge commitment from the British Government. Many different aircraft have landed and been stationed at Mount Pleasant. A selection are featured in this special stamp issue. 38p The Lockheed TriStar was the first aircraft to land at Mount Pleasant and played a significant role in supporting the Falklands. The RAF's TriStar fleet served as both air-to-air refuelling tankers and transport aircraft. Based at RAF Brize Norton their service in the Falklands and other operational areas was crucial.  86p The A320 Airbus is a narrow-body, single-aisle jetliner that can operate on the flight route between Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands and Punta Arenas, Chile. LATAM Airlines uses the A320 on this service. A typical configuration on this route allows for 174 passengers with flights taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. £1.18 The Phantom FGR2 played a significant role in the air defence of the Falkland Islands, particularly before the introduction of the Tornado F.3. Initially, Phantom FGR2s were stationed on Ascension Island before being deployed to Mount Pleasant, providing a prominent presence in the South Atlantic for several years.  £1.52 The Atlas C1 (A400M) plays a crucial role in the Falkland Islands. It provides tactical airlift, maritime patrol, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance capabilities. The Atlas C1 also supports air-to-air refuelling operations, enhancing its ability to operate at range and deliver cargo to the Falklands. In August 2022, the Atlas C1 was refuelled for the first time over the South Atlantic by a Voyager tanker flying from the Falkland Islands. This demonstrated the aircraft's ability to extend its operational range and support deployments to the Falklands. Its primary role is to conduct Maritime Reconnaissance and SAR in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands. In January 2025, it conducted a flight over The Antarctic in support of the British Antarctic Survey. The flight motto is 'Uphold the Right'; the motto of the Falkland Islands is 'Desire the Right'. FDC. The RAF's Voyager aircraft took over from the TriStar following its 30 years of service. Voyager offers advanced air-to-air refuelling capabilities and conducts regular flights between the UK and the Falklands. In June 2022, Voyager achieved two new records for uninterrupted flights between the UK and the Falkland Islands, showcasing its ability to sustain the South Atlantic Airbridge without refuelling. Covering 6834 nautical miles, the journey was completed in 15 hours and 9 minutes, surpassing previous records that had stood for over three decades. The RAF Voyager is stationed at RAF Brize Norton with frequent deployments to Mount Pleasant, primarily supporting air to air refuelling with a secondary medical evacuation role. Additionally, a civilian Voyager is operated by AirTanker under contract, supporting the South Atlantic Airbridge between the UK and Falkland Islands. We acknowledge with thanks the help and assistance of British Forces South Atlantic. High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetFirst Day Cover

Discover the Sights of the Falkland Islands through an ongoing series of stamps

As the world becomes smaller and travellers look for ever more exotic places to visit, so the Falkland Islands has geared itself up to welcome an increasing number of tourists, but not everyone will be able to tick the Falklands off from their bucket list.  Although the world of communication is shrinking, with email being replaced by social media apps, the Falkland Islands Post Office believes that there is an important place for postage stamps which not only act as an instrument that is recognised on the international stage but are in fact a window on the community itself.  To this end, the Falkland Island Post Office will be issuing a series of four sets of stamps highlighting sights of interest across the island group.  Each stamp has been viewed and approved by His Majesty King Charles III and his silhouette appears on all Falkland Island stamps, demonstrating the close relationship the Falklands continue to enjoy with the ‘mother country,’ the United Kingdom.  Each image is a miniature work of art which demonstrates the attractiveness of this remote South Atlantic archipelago and represents the history of the islands and its mainly local born population of a little under 4,000 permanent residents.  There will be a combination of stamps, first day covers and special miniature sheets which between them will allow collectors and those who have an interest on the Falkland Islands to create a collection which highlights some of the historic and unique sights that can be found and enjoyed from Stanley, the Lighthouse, Camp and the Coast.  A specially designed ‘Sights’ logo which changes depending on the topic, appears on each stamp and First Day Cover.  The first set in the series concentrates on Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands which is situated on East Falklands and consists of four stamps with the values 37p, 84p, £1.15 and £1.48 as well as a single stamp valued at £3.80 which sits within a miniature sheet showing an enlarged image of the Cathedral and the Stanly waterfront.  The 37p stamp features an aerial view of the capital with the FIPASS floating structure in the foreground. Originally installed by the UK Ministry of Defence in 1984, the Falkland Islands Intermediate Port and Storage System (FIPASS) was designed to offer better port access, refrigerated warehouse space and personnel accommodation and consists of six pontoons connected to a steel causeway to the shore. Having served the islands well for 40 years, a decision has been made to replace the existing structure with a more modern version.  The 84p stamp depicts the iconic Christ Church Cathedral, constructed on Ross Road overlooking the harbour between 1890 and 1892. It is the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world. Traditionally, in the UK, any area of population which boasts an Anglican Cathedral is considered to be a city, but it was not until June 2022 that having applied for city status as part of a competition to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee that Stanley was granted that honour.  The £1.15 stamp also features in greater details a view of the Cathedral flanked by the famous whalebone arch made from the jaws of two blue whales, which was erected in 1933 to commemorate the centenary of British rule.  Until 1978, the role of Bishop of Falkland Islands tended to be undertaken by an Anglican Bishop based in South America but in 1978, it fell under the purview of the Archbishop of Canterbury and has remained with that prelate ever since and he in turn devolves this role to the Archbishop's Commissary in the UK.  The £1.48 stamp shows one of the many historic artifacts that can be viewed around Stanley and this is the mizzen mast of the SS Great Britain which is mounted proudly on Victory Green in central Stanley. The SS Great Britain, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was at one time the largest passenger ship in the world and the first to combine a screw propellor in an iron-built vessel. In 1855, she was retired to the Falkland Islands where she was used for storage until being scuttled in 1933, but in 1970 was towed back to the UK, completely rebuilt and is now a museum ship based in Bristol Dock.  The £3.80 miniature sheet (the airmail registration fee) expands on the fantastic view of Stanley from the sea, understandably focussing on the Cathedral but spotlighting the many attractive, multi coloured buildings that make the view so attractive to visitors.  As well as mint stamps and miniature sheet, it will also be possible to purchase first day covers of both and the design on the envelope depicts the ever growing ‘Totem Pole’ which is situated on the Stanley by-pass, east of the city.  High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below - SetSouvenir SheetFirst Day CoverSouvenir Sheet First Day Cover

150th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Winston Churchill

This special stamp issue from the Falkland Islands Post Office commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965). One of the 20th century's most significant figures, Churchill remains popular in the UK and the rest of the English-speaking world.  Although Churchill was a statesman, military officer, writer (receiving a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953), amateur artist and devoted father, he is generally viewed as the victorious wartime leader who defended liberal democracy against the spread of fascism, and as a liberal reformer who spurred the creation of the modern welfare state. Historians and the British public often rank Churchill as one of the greatest prime ministers in British history, serving from 1940 to 1945 (during WW2) and again from 1951 to 1955. Apart from a brief period from 1922 to 1924, he was a member of Parliament from 1900 to 1964.  Of mixed English and American parentage, Churchill was born in Oxfordshire into the aristocratic Spencer family. However, by the standards of his social class, he was not especially wealthy and spent much of his life on the brink of debt and bankruptcy.  From a young age he aspired to become a great man, believing that without a great deal of money to his name he would first have to become a hero.  He achieved this by literally throwing himself at life. Prior to WWI he had participated in 4 wars with great bravery. As a war correspondent during the 2nd Boer War he had already achieved some fame when his capture and subsequent escape through 300 miles of enemy territory attracted a great deal of publicity. Throughout that war, he publicly chastised anti-Boer prejudices, calling for them to be treated with "generosity and tolerance", and afterwards urged the British to be magnanimous in victory. In 1898, as a 23-year-old, he even participated in the last major cavalry charge of the British Army, at the Battle of Omdurman. At the outbreak of WW1 Churchill was serving as First Lord of the Admiralty. However some questionable decisions saw him demoted and after resigning from Government, he served as an officer on the Western Front before being appointed Minister of Munitions.  When he became Prime Minister in 1940, he believed that everything in his life up until that point was simply in preparation for that moment.  In the 1930’s, Churchill was one of the first to warn of the threat posed by the rise of the Nazis in Germany. At a time when appeasement was popular, he was ridiculed in the House of Commons and his speeches kept off the airwaves by the BBC. Ultimately, he was proven to be right and became the great war leader who oversaw the survival of Britain during the terrible period from the evacuation of Dunkirk until the end of 1941 when Russia and the USA joined the war. Ultimately Churchill triumphed and, in this regard, he was central to saving Western Civilisation.  Despite his eventful life and career, he is most remembered as Prime Minister during the war years, a time when fiercely supportive Falkland Islanders donated more money per head for the purchase of Spitfires (10) than any other nation. Churchill had very direct and interesting links to the Falkland Islands. In 1942 he dispatched 1,700 troops from the West Yorkshire Regiment to the Islands out of concern that the Japanese were planning to invade the territory and interfere with critical sea routes in the South Atlantic. In support of this plan Tokyo, allegedly, was prepared to hand control of the Islands to Argentina. Churchill realized the strategic importance of the Falklands after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941.  In a message to senior defence officials in London dated 1 April, 1942, Churchill stated, “It would be a very serious thing to lose the Falkland Islands to the Japanese and no comfort to say that it would hurt the United States more than ourselves. The Falkland Islands are very well known and their loss would be a shock to the whole Empire,” he wrote.  “They would certainly have to be retaken.”  “The object of the reinforcement would be to make it necessary for the Japanese to extend their attacking forces to a tangible size,” Churchill wrote. “This might well act as a deterrent.” As he expected, the Japanese threat to the Falklands failed to materialize and by late 1944 the troops had been dispatched to different theatres of the war.  During his second stint as prime minister, Churchill remained concerned about the security of the Islands and other British territories in the south Atlantic resulting in the deployment of HMS Snipe. In a personal minute to defence chiefs Churchill said: "Certainly a frigate should be kept in the neighbourhood of the Falkland Islands." High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetFirst Day Cover

Falkland Islands: The Discovery of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance

It took ten years and two expeditions, but on 5 March 2022, under the auspices of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was finally found.  The discovery made headlines around the world.  The so-called ‘unreachable’ wreck was located beneath the ice of the Weddell Sea at a depth of 3008 meters. Shackleton called it ‘the worst portion of the worst sea on earth.’   It was the greatest wreck hunt ever. The first expedition in 2019 used Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, or AUVs, to survey the seabed. The icebreaker they chartered was the 12,900 ton S.A. Agulhas II out of Cape Town. The search ended when ice conditions deteriorated and the AUV disappeared without trace.    The quest resumed in 2022, using the same ship. This time they succeeded. The main search vehicle was a ‘Sabertooth’, an unmanned submersible made by Saab of Sweden. Its main advantage was that it was linked to the surface by up to 6 km of fibreoptic cable which allowed the subsea team to know precisely where it was throughout the dive and to be able to follow the in-coming data stream in real time.  The wreck was discovered upright, semi-intact and in an excellent state of preservation.  Even its paintwork was still visible. Her masts were down, and her deck house and most of the quarterdeck had been destroyed by the ice, but the well deck at the stern was untouched. The ship’s wheel was in position and largely unscathed as was the binnacle, or wooden stand in front of the wheel which held the vessel’s magnetic compass.  Most remarkable was the fact that the Endurance had been found exactly 100 years to the day after Shackleton had been buried at South Georgia.  For those who saw the wreck through the Sabertooth’s cameras, the most moving sight was undoubtedly Shackleton’s cabin and the ship’s name that arced across the stern over the emblem of the North Star, or Polaris, after which the ship had originally been named.  The Polaris was built at Sandefjord, Norway, in 1911-1913. In 1914 she was bought by Sir Ernest Shackleton who renamed her Endurance after his family motto ‘by endurance we conquer.’  His purpose in acquiring the ship was to use her to carry his team to Antarctica where it was his intention to cross the continent from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea by way of the Pole.   But it was not to be.  On 18 January 1915, without having reached their destination of Vahsel Bay, the Endurance became icebound. For ten months she was carried northwards by the pack until, on 21 November 1915, ruptured and leaking she was released by the ice and plunged to the seabed.   For over five months Shackleton and his team of 27 survived on the ice.  On 9 April, 1916, they took to their three boats and, after six days of the most brutal conditions imaginable, they made Elephant Island.   Shackleton realized that if they stayed on ‘that hellish rock’ they would most likely perish. So he took his best boat, the 22 foot long James Caird and five of his men (Frank Worsley, Tom Crean, ‘Chippy’ McNish, John Vincent and Timothy McCarthy) and departed for South Georgia to seek help.   It took over two weeks to reach their destination where, after nine days of recuperation, Shackleton, Worsley and Crean set off over the Island’s mountainous spine for the whaling stations on the other side. 36 hours later they turned up at Stromness where they were greeted with disbelief and astonishment by the small community of Norwegian whalers.  After a failed attempt to reach the 22 men on Elephant Island with a small whaling steamer, they set out for the Falklands. This was the first of Shackleton’s three visits to the Islands. Further attempts were made to relieve the party but it was not until 30 August 1916, that Shackleton finally got through and rescued them all using a Chilean naval tug, the Yelcho, under the command of Lt. Luis Pardo.   They all survived.  It was a story of extraordinary leadership, courage, and determination.  Some have called it the greatest escape – ever.  Text by Mensun Bound. High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetSouvenir Sheet

Macaroni Penguin

This Macaroni Penguin stamp issue is the second in a series of five issues based entirely on fantastic photographs submitted by members of the public. Five penguin species make the Falkland Islands their home, including the King, Macaroni, Gentoo, Southern Rockhopper and Magellanic.  Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus Height: 61-69 cm, Length: 66-74 cm Weight: 3.5 – 5.5 kg. Males weigh heavier than females Life expectancy: 10-15 years in the wild Breeding age: 5-6 years Migratory: Migrate from the Falklands between April and September Predators: Sea Lions are the main predators at sea. At colonies Skuas and Striated Caracaras can take small chicks from the burrows.  The Macaroni Penguin is a crested penguin, similar to the Rockhopper. Like the Rockhopper it is migratory arriving in the Islands each summer to breed. Macaroni penguins are slightly larger than the Rockhopper penguin with distinctive golden orange head plumes which spread out and back from the forehead. It has a prominent pink patch at the gape. Head, throat and back are blue-black and under parts white. The very stout bill is orange-red and feet pink.  Population It is near the northern limit of its range in the Falkland Islands where it is the least common of the Falkland species. Very small numbers (24 pairs) at 12 different sites are found in association with Southern Rockhoppers.  Breeding cycle Macaroni penguins nest with Rockhopper penguins on cliff tops or steep cliff sides. Two white eggs are laid in mid-November. Macaroni and Southern Rockhopper hybrids are known to occur. Immature and non-breeding birds moult from mid-January, breeding adults a little later. The birds have departed by the end of April.  Going to sea Macaroni penguins feed mostly on lobster krill and squid, and less frequently on small fish.  Conservation The global population has declined in recent years and its conservation status is Vulnerable. Their main colonies are further south, principally on South Georgia, where their population is in excess of 3 million. The primary drivers of declines are uncertain but could include climatic variation and competition for food from commercial fisheries. Text provided by Falkland Conservation High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetFirst Day Cover

In Memory of Fireman Gerard Johnson and Fireman Robert Finlayson

This special stamp issue marks the 35th Anniversary of the tragic deaths of two local firefighters, Gerard Johnson and Robert Finlayson, the only two Firemen in the Falkland Islands who have lost their lives while on active duty.  The history of the Falkland Islands Fire and Rescue Department started with the formation of the Falkland Islands Volunteer Fire Brigade on 24 March 1898. On this date a public meeting was held asking anyone interested in forming a volunteer fire brigade to please attend by request of Colonial Secretary F. Craigie-Halkett.  29 men offered themselves ready and willing to man the recently imported fire engine and were sworn in promising that “they would be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and that they would faithfully serve and carry out to the best of their ability, and for the best interests of their fellow, all the duties required of them as members of the fire brigade”. A week later the Governor notified for general information that he accepted the services of those attending the public meeting signifying their desire to be formed into a volunteer fire brigade. He declared the fire brigade lawfully formed designating them as the “Stanley Volunteer Fire Brigade.” Many of our current firefighters are direct descendants of these men.   In 1985 the Superintendent’s position was made into a full-time post reporting to the Director of Public Works. This was the first step in the Fire Brigade becoming a more recognisable establishment and in 1986 the Fire Brigade broke away from the Public Works Department and became Police, Fire and Rescue. Later that same year the Fire Service became its own stand-alone department and moved to St Mary’s Walk. At this point it changed its name again to what it is known as today, The Falkland Islands Fire and Rescue Service.  As well as domestic fires, the fire service also deals with camp fires. During the dry summer months, the grass lands and peat soil make perfect fuel for wild fires to get out of control. The peat underneath can allow these fires to burn for months, destroying thousands of acres and changing direction as quickly as the wind. The fire department has fought many large camp fires over the years alongside both farmers and the military.  Over the years, the Falkland Islands Fire and Rescue Service have faced many devastating incidents and challenges with great courage. On 20 May, 1989, in the Berkeley Sound, a most tragic event came in the form of a ship fire. The fire had broken out on board the stern trawler Frio Pesca Uno. During the battle two young firefighters had become lost within the vessel using breathing apparatus whilst searching for survivors. They never found their way out and tragically lost their lives. The two young men were Gerard Johnson and Robert Finlayson. They will never be forgotten and our thoughts are always with their families. High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  SetFirst Day Cover

Falkland Islands Working Dogs

In the Falkland Islands, working dogs are used for a variety of roles. For local farmers, dogs are of valuable assistance in managing large numbers of sheep over vast areas of land. Other working dogs are used to protect the local wildlife - particularly ground nesting birds - from invasive species. Dogs are also a crucial part of military and police operations within the Islands, such as patrols, tracking and drug detection.  35p Shiba Inu Sammy is a 7-year-old Shiba Inu trained to detect rats and mice. He originally came from America in 2018 and his first job was working to protect the island of South Georgia after eradication there. He checks cargo and boats that go to the island to ensure they are clear of rodents before they can travel south. He also works around the Falklands checking the Inter Island ferry and cargo that goes to rodent free islands, making sure rodents aren’t accidentally introduced. He checks our valuable tussac islands such as Kidney every year to protect the birds and biodiversity that live there.50p Kelpie The Kelpie originates from Australia and is a superb working dog that possesses remarkable intelligence, an unwavering work ethic, boundless energy, and impressive agility. The Kelpie is capable of lightning-fast movements, allowing it to swiftly manoeuvre and control livestock with great precision. Its natural instinct for herding, together with its problem-solving abilities and independent thinking, make it an invaluable asset to farmers. Kelpies are a relatively new addition to the Falkland Islands. They didn't appear until the mid 1990s, when the first two dogs were brought in from the UK by John Morrison. These two dogs, a red female and a black and tan male, can in fact be traced back to the first Kelpie bloodlines from the late 1800s.   80p Border Collie Border Collies, Bearded Collies and Welsh Collies have all been used as working dogs in the Falklands. Collies arrived much earlier than the Huntaways and Kelpies, with the Border Collie still being the most widely used working dog on farms across the Islands. They are often used to compete in dog trials. The Border Collie is an outstanding sheepdog, a true workaholic considered to be the most intelligent of all the dog breeds. They are exceptionally easy to train, very energetic, agile, focused, and always ready and alert to any commands they are given. Unlike other sheepdogs, the Border Collie doesn't rely on its bark to herd livestock, but instead uses body positions and anticipates the sheep's movements. They are known for their intense stare with which they control livestock, intimidating the sheep into moving in the desired direction, or preventing the sheep from moving.  £1.09 Huntaway The first Huntaways were brought into the Falkland Islands in February 1974 by Tony & Lyn Blake. They arrived from New Zealand aboard the Lindblad Explorer. Since then, Huntaways have widely been used across the Islands for herding sheep. The Huntaway originates from New Zealand and is a loyal and rugged herding breed. Large and strongly-built, they were specifically bred to use their loud, deep bark to drive sheep. It is this ability to use their bark for herding that sets this breed apart from other working dogs. Their quick wits, athletic ability and stamina make them well suited to their job, and their good nature means they fit in well to the farming family.  £1.40 German Short-haired PointerTyson, a 3-year-old German Short-Haired Pointer is a Drugs Detection dog in the Royal Air Force currently deployed at Mount Pleasant Complex (MPC) or a 6 month tour with his handler. His role is to passively search for controlled substances, and he is trained and licensed to search everywhere and anything. Royal Air Force Police assist that work alongside the Falkland Islands Police and Customs. Tyson is trained daily to keep his skills sharp, either with training searches or work on obedience and agility. In 2022 Tyson and his handler came 1st place in Drugs Detection and 1st place in the McConnell Cup for obedience and agility. £1.55 German ShepherdBeni is a two-year-old German Shepherd. He was recently certified as a licensed Police Dog and is now currently deployed with his handler at MPC in the Falklands. He is part of the vital security team that provides 24/7 security on base at MPC during his 6-month tour. He has gone through many multitudes of training such as tracking and man work, and can conduct area searches for people and evidence. He can chase and detain threats and assist in crowd control, all whilst providing assurance and safety to personnel at MPC.  About the Artist Local artist Louise Clarke, originally from Northern Ireland, has been living in the Falkland Islands since 2013. She specialises in highly detailed and life-like coloured pencil drawings of animals. Her original drawings and personal commissions of wildlife and pets sell locally and internationally. High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  Set  

75th Anniversary of The Falkland Islands Government Air Service

The Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) was established in November 1948 with the arrival of two Auster aircraft to provide the community with an air ambulance service.  The first flight, a post assembly flight check, was performed on 19 December of that year. The first air ambulance flight took place six days later on Christmas Eve when a young girl, Sandra Short, was airlifted to hospital in Stanley. The aircraft used for the flight was an Auster, Mk.5, registration G-AJCH piloted by Vic Spencer.  In 1950 the Auster aircraft were supplemented by a Noorduyn Norseman float equipped aircraft to provide increased capacity enabling the air service to begin passenger services on a more regular basis. By 1953, the Auster and Norseman aircraft had been replaced by DH Canadian Beaver aircraft, also on floats.  A review of the air service was carried out in 1977 which initiated a move from floats to wheels in an attempt to mitigate against salt water corrosion which is the scourge of float plane operators.   The aircraft selected to replace the DHC Beaver was the Britten-Norman BN2 Islander aircraft; the first Islander, registration VP-FAY arrived in the Falkland Islands on 4 October 1979 after a long ferry flight from the United Kingdom across the North Atlantic, down the Americas and on to the Falklands.  The 1982 war and inclement weather destroyed the existing FIGAS fleet effectively stopping operations for a period. The 1982 war claimed two of the fleet; Islander aircraft VP-FAY was destroyed at Stanley Airport during a bombing raid and one of the Beaver aircraft was wrecked by naval gunfire; the remaining beaver was blown over during a strong gale and declared a write-off.  FIGAS operations recommenced in January 1983 with a second-hand float-equipped DHC Beaver and further strengthened by the arrival of two new BN2 Islander aircraft.  The Islands relationship with the Beaver aircraft finally ended in January 1985 when it was withdrawn from use, dismantled and shipped to the UK for storage, eventually being sold to a customer in Canada. FIGAS continue to operate BN2 Islanders across the archipelago providing the community with an essential communications network.  In recent years the fleet have been upgraded with modern digital cockpits, autopilots, satellite tracking and new cabin interiors. Currently, FIGAS operate five BN2 Islanders, four of which are configured for passenger and cargo transportation. The fifth aircraft is primarily an aerial surveillance aircraft but used occasionally on passenger duties when required.  Over the last decade, domestic and international passenger traffic have increased year-on-year despite dipping slightly in 2019/2020 due to the pandemic. This consistent growth prompted the purchase of a sixth aircraft which is scheduled to arrive in the first quarter of 2024, thus providing FIGAS with additional resilience to meet future demand.  The Islander aircraft depicted on the first day cover, registration VP-FBD, is the oldest in the fleet at 38 years in operation; the aircraft has logged over 19,800 flight hours and 48,500 landings.  VP-FBN is pictured on the 35p stamp; one of two aircraft originally purchased in 1989 for fishery surveillance duties, was eventually converted to a passenger transport aircraft in 2009 due to a reduction in surveillance requirements.  Also purchased in 1989 was VP-FBO, shown on the 80p stamp, and remains the sole fishery surveillance aircraft. VP-FBO is regularly tasked for passenger transport.  VP-FBR features on the stamp valued at £1.09; purchased in 1991 this aircraft has accumulated nearly 17,000 flying hours and 38,000 landings.  The newest aircraft, VP-FMC, portrayed on the £1.40 stamp arrived on the islands in December 2020 and has been very busy, amassing over 2,000 flying hours.  Text provided by FIGAS High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  Set  

Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC)

At its core, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) is the great enabler of the Falkland Islands economy. For the past 40 years, FIDC has been providing loans and grants to businesses — both new and established — to facilitate economic growth across the South Atlantic archipelago.  Over its four decades, FIDC has loaned millions of pounds (£) to businesses in nearly every sector of the economy, taken equity stakes in new ventures, invited foreign businesses to the shores of the Falkland Islands, and negotiated on matters of international significance.  Whether it was bringing 24-hour power to farms, international flights from Chile and inter-Island ship transportation, or establishing an abattoir and facilitating the construction of a wool warehouse for the Falkland Islands’ number one export, FIDC has played the leading role, all for the benefit of the local economy.  It has consistently employed a dedicated staff meant to serve the needs of every industry across the Falkland Islands, many of whom have gone to take on posts in both national and international arenas, and represented both the public sector and private business.  FIDC has at times acted in concert with the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) — having once been a department within FIG — and is the vanguard where government is unable to intervene.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of FIDC. To that end, the corporation has embarked on a new regime, one that sees greater emphasis on grants and loans that are fit for purpose, and making green/renewable initiatives a core component of its mandate, while being more proactive within the community, and leading on key components of the economy.  Representing the Economy  To celebrate its 40th anniversary, FIDC commissioned local artist Samantha Chapman to design a series of unique images that reflect both the core of the economy and are emblematic of the role FIDC has played in growing the Falkland Islands.  A native of the Falkland Islands, Samantha Chapman is an artist, and the owner of Chapman’s Colorful Creations, a boutique online arts and crafts store specializing in personalized items. Chapman takes most of her inspiration from her home, preferring to focus on the less typical Falkland Islands images.  Chapman’s preferred medium is taking freestanding wooden blocks and applying vividly colorful backgrounds to a silhouetted foreground. The results are simple and striking, focusing the viewer to a single shape bathed in a multitude of hues. These represent the stunning sunrises and sunsets seen in the Falkland Islands.  Quote from Samantha Chapman: “I was honored to be invited to be a part of this project. It is important to me to be able to represent my home through the medium of art. I hope these images convey the important aspects of the Falkland Islands economy.”  Airline   In the 1990s, FIDC was responsible for negotiating the first commercial flights to the Falkland Islands, first with Aerovias DAP and LAN Chile, which subsequently became LATAM Airlines. The LATAM service now includes a once-a-week flight from Santiago (SCL) to Mount Pleasant (MPN), with a stopover in Punta Arenas (PUQ).  Wind Turbines   It used to be that farms across the Falkland Islands did not have regular access to power. With financial assistance from FIDC, wind turbines were provided to settlements across East and West Falklands, birthing 24-hour power for farmers, and symbolizing the type of renewable energy initiatives that FIDC has historically helped initiate in the Falkland Islands.  Fishing Industry   As an island nation, the fishing industry is now the biggest contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). And the dozens of vessels that show up in and around Stanley Harbor each year are a reminder of just how strong these businesses have become. FIDC helped the fishing sector by providing financial assistance to some of its founding companies, partnered with government in designing the national licensing scheme, and led in initiating aquaculture as a potential industry.  Herding Dog   The “ground commander” for the hundreds of kilometers of farmland that shape the Falkland Islands, the Falkland Shepherd herding dog maneuvers hundreds of thousands of Corriedales, Polwarth, and Merino sheep into shearing sheds. The herding dogs living on the farms that exist today are in part due to FIDC successfully administering the subdivision of farms that took place over several years beginning in the mid-1980s.  Wool Industry  Wool is the most visible export of the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands is a nation of shearers, as farms are all engaged in some form of wool production. From its beginning, FIDC has been inextricably connected to the wool industry, whether it was forming the nation’s first wool cooperative, financing the purchase of the national stud flock, providing the necessary capital to implement the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), or constructing the wool warehouse.  FIDC 40th Anniversary  FIDC is more focused on renewable and green initiatives than ever before, having recently launched its Green Business Program and making it the centerpiece of its financial support mechanisms. Historically, FIDC has led on schemes that offered environmentally-sound results for the Falkland Islands. Going forward, FIDC will continue to make “green” a core component to any undertaking that goes towards developing the national economy.  Text and design co-ordination: FIDC High resolution images for this stamp issue can be found below -  Set