Christmas parcels sent to unnamed service personnel abroad will not reach their final destination, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has warned.

The generosity of people who want to make sure those serving overseas are not forgotten during the festive period is appreciated, but the sheer bulk of mail delays items sent from family and friends.

It also poses a risk to ammunition supplies, food and equipment all destined for the front line, the MOD claims.

Last year more than 21,000 sacks of mail, weighing more than 170 tonnes, were sent to Afghanistan alone in the two months leading up to Christmas.

More than 13,000 additional sacks were sent to Iraq during the same period, with almost three times as many letters and parcels sent in December as September.

The MoD said most of the parcels were sent to unnamed soldiers by people who want to do something special at Christmas.

But it said what is meant as a kind-hearted gesture places considerable strain on the supply chain and means more trips have to be made in dangerous circumstances.

As a result, the MoD and British Forces Post Office have made the decision not to accept parcels that do not have a name on them.

In a letter explaining the position, James Shelley, director of news for the MoD, said the service was grateful to the public for wanting to support personnel on operations.

He said: “Servicemen and women value the knowledge that comparative strangers are thinking of them.

“Indeed, the national recognition study published earlier this year included a recommendation to encourage the general public to send parcels to the troops.

“But the MoD has examined the impact on the supply chain of accepting parcels to unnamed personnel and has concluded it cannot be supported.

“This is because the logistic supply chain from sender to recipient in an operational theatre is extremely con-strained and, at times, dangerous (especially in Afghanistan, where the last leg of the journey is usually by helicopter).”

Mr Shelley said many of the parcels sent to unnamed soldiers contain items which are classes as dangerous air cargo, such as aerosols, or items that duplicate goods already available to troops.

He said every serviceman and woman on operations would receive a gift box from uk4u Thanks! an MoD endorsed charity, which has already sent out 24,500 packages.

“We are also sending festive food to operational theatres so our personnel will be able to enjoy a traditional Christmas meal,” Mr Shelley said.

“The MoD is in a very uncomfortable situation over this issue. It is very emotive, and I realise it seems counter-productive to be appearing to be negative towards the very people whose wish is to support our deployed personnel.”

The MoD is asking people who want to support service personal to donate to uk4u Thanks to help fill the boxes they send out.
Donations can also be made to The Royal British Legion, Poppyscotland, SSAFA, the Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes.

Vice Admiral Peter Wilkin-son, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff said: “The generosity and support of the British public has been outstanding and it means a huge amount to all those serving in our Armed Forces.

“When on operations, the receipt of news from home, a letter from your wife or children, is a huge boost to morale, but unfortunately this can be delayed by the sheer volume of mail generously donated.

“Last Christmas, the mail created a significant challenge to our logistics chain in theatre, which must also focus on the supply of operational essentials such as ammunition, food and medical supplies.

“These controls mean we will continue to supply free post to the friends, family and loved ones of those serving on operations overseas whilst ensuring our operational effectiveness is maintained.

“We are hugely grateful for all the public support for our servicemen and women, but because of the great response, we urge people to donate to alternative organisations to minimise the impact of Christmas mail surges.”

The last guaranteed date for families and friends to send their parcels to Iraq and Afghanistan in time for Christmas is December 5.