P.O. Headquarters
The Post Office maintained a central filing system for a long period of its history. These files are sometimes called minutes (see Reports & Minutes Guide [PDF, 91 KB] for more details) and can be found in the following archive POST classes (searchable on our online catalogue):
These files include material dating from 1790 to the very recent past. The most modern material can be found in POST 122 and in POST 151-157 (these series contain files that are still being appraised and catalogued). They can cover all aspects of the Post Office's operation locally, nationally and internationally.
They also cover people, national and international events and trends, Post Office developments and mail operations on the ground. The best thing about these classes is their variety, they are our Archive's equivalent of a 'Lucky Dip'
Examples from our Collection
Here are some examples of items relating to Post Office Headquarters in our collection:
File on cat allowance, 1912
A request from an Edinburgh depot for permission to employ a cat to deal with their mouse problem.
File relating to an incident with a Post Office cycle, 1917
Involves a messenger, a cycle, a wall and a herd of cows.
File on communist activities, 1923-1938
A document about how to deal with supposed 'troublemakers' among the Post Office staff.
Files on postal coding in the Norwich area, May 1959
Document discussing the introduction of post codes in Norwich.
You may also be interested in...
GPO Staff in 1916
Self-respect and a little extra leave - a book on the Easter Rising
Stephen Ferguson examines the events of the Easter Rising from the unique perspective of GPO staff.
Post Office Leaders
Download lists of Post Office executives from the 17th century onwards
Postmasters General, Secretaries to the Post Office, Chairman and Chief Executive Officers of the Post Office.
