And leading seaman Darrel Johnstone, who is a radar operator on HMS Iron Duke, promoted the importance of receiving letters and parcels when he is away from home.

The 25-year-old said: “Getting mail from home is always an eagerly-awaited event when we are away on deployment.

“While we can keep in touch by mobile phone and email these days, there’s nothing quite like the feel of a parcel or letter that’s actually been sent from home,” he added.

Darrel is currently patrolling the north Atlantic and Caribbean, supporting the UK’s overseas territories during hurricane season.

The boat was called into action last year after Hurricane Ike hit the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey, Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command, added: “These stamps reflect the great history of the senior service and uniquely represent changes in the Royal Navy, from the development of the Fleet Air Arm to the introduction of women at sea.

“The importance of mail to the morale of our personnel deployed around the world cannot be overstated, and the Royal Mail continues to provide us with a terrific service.”

Presentation packs of the stamps have been signed by HMS Iron Duke’s commanding officer, Commander Mark Newland, and have been donated to raise funds for service charities.

Julietta Edgar, head of special stamps at Royal Mail, said: “The set of six stamps provides a fascinating insight into the history and diversity of naval uniforms from over two centuries, from an admiral of 1795 to the high-tech visibility uniform of a modern-day flight deck officer from 2009.”