Royal Mail and HM Armed Forces have unveiled the newest and hottest Royal Mail BFPO Postbox in its service, in Bahrain.
This iconic red postbox is thought to be one of the hottest in the world. It will be in service all through the year, even as temperatures hit over 50° Celsius in the summer. The box has been gifted 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.
“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.”
Simon Barker, UK Process Operations Director at Royal Mail
The BFPO Postbox travelled over 4,300 miles to reach its destination and was transported by the Royal Navy to reach its final position.
“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.”
– Commander Steve Forge Royal Navy, head of logistics at the UKMCC in Bahrain
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 the 26th of November for operational HM Forces and the 14th of December for static HM Forces. For all other last posting dates around the world check here.
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. Always use the BFPO number.
Military personnel deployed need to send UK bound mail so that first class mail arrives in the UK by the 18th of December and second class mail by the 14th of December.
Santa Mail
Anyone with a BFPO address can also take part in Royal Mail’s ‘Letter to Santa’. All letters must arrive in the UK by Friday the 7th of December to receive a reply. Letters should be sent to:
Santa/Father Christmas
Santa’s Grotto
Reindeerland
XM4 5HQ
