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Postman

Vivienne14

Vivienne14

Kentish Brummie Moderator
Staff member
This is an image of one of the first Birmingham postmen. The uniform may be of interest to those researching the occupation.The design seems to have police uniform influences. Viv.

3D92A0B2-9E9B-4890-B8B3-0408C0F134CA.jpeg
Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
This postman must have been one of the earliest, joining the Post Office in 1822. Very surprised there was a Post Office in 1822! Viv.

DA4ACFA6-5743-4F21-A1DA-9B97790E4D09.jpeg
Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
Vivienne14 said:
This is an image of one of the first Birmingham postmen. The uniform may be of interest to those researching the occupation.The design seems to have police uniform influences. Viv.

View attachment 172481
Source: British Newspaper Archive
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Viv, Robert Peel's police were set up in London in 1829, their uniform of blue tail coat and top hats was carefully chosen to avoid resemblance to the red coats and helmet of the army. I imagine blue uniform for postmen was selected for similar reasons. Derek
 
I have read that the ranks of the police originally were chosen so as not to be the same as the army, to avoid the public thinking they were a military organisation. thus Superintendent, inspector, constable - apparently originally there was not the rank of Sergeant in the police
 
mikejee said:
I have read that the ranks of the police originally were chosen so as not to be the same as the army, to avoid the public thinking they were a military organisation. thus Superintendent, inspector, constable - apparently originally there was not the rank of Sergeant in the police
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The Peterloo Massacre in Manchester was 1819. There was fear of a standing army or militia. Peel thought that a police service would be tolerated where a military force would be resented. 1848 was the year of European revolutions. Uniformed Peelers were often unpopular. My mother told me that they patrolled in pairs in Ladywood. She was born 1908. Public services like the post office and fire brigade were careful not to present themselves as an armed force but as part of civil society.
 
Richard Dye said:
Wow! Sounds like the wild Wild West!
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Highwaymen and armed footpads might attack a mail coach. The coach transported cash. Here's a broadside ballad from 1820s.
https://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/view/?id=15456

Exactly as the Wild West was mythologised, so was the criminal underworld. Daniel Defoe and many others depicted it in pamphlets and novels. Jonathan Wild was said to be a Wolverhampton man, though he moved to London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Wild
 
I wonder what today's postie's would think about 7 collections a day which was available to this lady in 1928
oldMohawk said:
A lady posts a letter in 1928, no chance of her missing the last post, a close look reveals seven collections a day 8:15am, 11:15am, 2:15pm, 5:15pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 9:00pm. Nice clothes matching bag.
index.php

From a collection of colour photos dated 1928
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Vivienne14 said:
In 1928, a 9.00pm pillar box collection! Viv.
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I can remember my Mom mailing stuff to aunts and uncles and it would be there the next day. Also remember having two deliveries (maybe more) in the 50's and early 60's.
One other thing about the mail box just like oldMohawks picture. We had one across from our house and one night after dinner we were in the street throwing a tennis ball, went over my head i turned and ran full speed right into it. Caught my left eye on the top rim, knocked me out spent the night in the general hospital and had a black eye for what seemed forever. When I emigrated to the US walking to catch the 29 to Snow Hill, I gave the mailbox one last dirty look :)
 
Interesting aspect of input into health of mail workers and including provision of uniforms. All supporting a speedy and efficient service.
 

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The Post Office was a member of the Civil Service and Post Office Sanatorium Society. They had a hospital in Benenden Kent. Originally it was to treat members with TB, hence the wards with balconies onto which patients were wheeled for fresh air. It then expanded its range of treatments beyond TB and chest conditions. The hospital is still there, think it’s the Benenden Hospital now but is fully private.

When I was a member it was part contributory, but it didn’t cost much per month. I had an operation there in the early 1990s and the ward was full of British Telecom workers, who I believe were once Post Office Telecoms. Quite a change in health provision over the years. Viv.
 
After around 100 years or so later than the postman in the first post, this is how the uniform had evolved by 1938. The postman was delivering in Colmore Row, near Waterloo Street. Nice cap, gives him authority. And he had a pride in his appearance; particularly shiny shoes. His bag would have been canvas, and I think I’m right in saying it was made of a reddish-brown canvas with leather closing straps. Viv.

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Vivienne14 said:
The Post Office was a member of the Civil Service and Post Office Sanatorium Society. They had a hospital in Benenden Kent. Originally it was to treat members with TB, hence the wards with balconies onto which patients were wheeled for fresh air. It then expanded its range of treatments beyond TB and chest conditions. The hospital is still there, think it’s the Benenden Hospital now but is fully private.

When I was a member it was part contributory, but it didn’t cost much per month. I had an operation there in the early 1990s and the ward was full of British Telecom workers, who I believe were once Post Office Telecoms. Quite a change in health provision over the years. Viv.
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Viv, I was once a clerk in Post Office Telecoms and so eligible to join Boundless the rebranded Civil Service Motoring Association. We were able to rent an easy access wooden holiday lodge at Whitemead in The Forest of Dean enabling us to take my disabled father in law on holiday with us. There are a range of benefits for all ex-public service workers and Forces. There's a membership fee. Derek
 
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