2009 saw the issue of the second yearly ANZAC issued by New Zealand Post. This issue showed scenes from each of the major wars New Zealand has been involved in. The theme of Comrades in Arms as shown in pictures of men facing and hardships and dangers of war together.
The first stamp shows a typical ANZAC Day scene where soldiers carry the coffin of the Unknown Warrior so those who died, but whose bodies were never recovered or identified, are remembered. To many whose loved one was never found this is one of the few links they have.
The format followed the 2008 issue by showing a sepia photo with the silver writing and red poppy. The words "Lest we forget" were also included too. I actually like this design better because the words "Lest we forget" were very hard to see in the 2009 ANZAC issue.
The Six ANZAC Stamps.
50c – Funeral Procession of the Unknown Warrior, 2004.
On Armistice Day in 2004, the New Zealand Defence Force accorded the ‘Unknown Warrior’ a full military funeral, attended by representatives of all New Zealand’s armed services. The moving story of his return home from the Somme in France to his final resting place can be found in the miniature sheet booklet that was also available.
50c – New Zealand (Mäori) Pioneer Battalion, WW I.
In 1919 the Pioneer Battalion was the only battalion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to return to New Zealand as a complete unit. This is a remarkable story of humble heroism and sacrifice, of Māori, Pākehā and Pacific peoples giving essential and unstinting support to Allied troops fighting on the Western Front.
$1.00 – No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, WW II.
How the RNZAF came to have the name No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF is an amazing story and a true reflection of New Zealand’s character. The miniature sheet booklet delves into this and other stories relating to the stamps.
$1.50 - HMS Achilles, WW II.
More than 100,000 jubilant Kiwis flocked to the celebratory parades held in Auckland and Wellington when the Achilles and her crew returned home in 1940. Determined and courageous in battle, united in pursuit of the enemy, they played a key role in the Allies’ first major naval victory of World War II.
$2.00 – Kayforce, Korea.
Between 1950 and 1955, a total of 3,794 New Zealand soldiers served in ‘Kayforce’, including an army volunteer force of artillery and support troops. Their role in supporting the Commonwealth and United States’ forces is the stuff of legends – and an affirmation of the power of comradeship on an international scale.
$2.50 – ANZAC Battalion, Vietnam.
More than 50 years after Gallipoli, the ‘ANZACs’ were once again united in war – this time with two New Zealand infantry battalions operating under the command of an Australian regiment. The joint effort was remarkably successful, as separate strengths combined to achieve demanding military objectives.
The 2009 First Day Cover.
First Day Cover - 1 April 2009.
First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue.
Prestige Miniature Sheet Booklet.
This miniature sheet booklet featured seven miniature sheets, six incorporating the individual stamps, and one comprising the set of six stamps. It was issued as part of the 2009 ANZAC Series - Comrades in Arms stamp issue.
Technical Information.
Date of issue: 1 April 2009.
The number of stamps: Six gummed stamps.
Denominations: 50c x 2, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50.
Stamps and first-day cover designed: Communication Arts, Wellington.
Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by offset lithography.
The number of colours: Four process colours plus silver.
Stamp size and format: 40mm x 30mm.
Paper type: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper.
The number of stamps per sheet: 25.
Perforation gauge: 14.
Period of sale: These stamps remained on sale until 31 March 2010.
Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their website and Online Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/
Information & images for this post came from.