A Tribute To The Postman.

Cleft Stick Postman:

Image Source and ownership unknown.



Another cleft stick postman: Wills Cigarettes 1913

When I read the info on the cleft stick postman I assumed he ran completely nude, but the image nest to the paragraph shows some coverage--whew.

Also, does the postman on the stilts deliver airmail? lol

hahahaha

This one does..........

Going by camel...

Hey Mr. Postman. Put my mail here!

I wouldn't trust him with my stamps !!

Here are some more Camel Postmen....on the way to Khartoum and Berbe.





Londonbus1.....loves Camels.

Nice Sudan issues, hadn't seen Battlestamps issue before.
Must be the only postman in the world that carries a rifle.

Belgium: who often celebrate their postmen.

1914-1918 GB: The post Office Rifles,
posties who gave their lives in the great war.

Acknowledgement:
"Bird Talk" Australian stampe news Circa 1970

BIRD TALK
Take a stroll down Postman's Park.(London) Those of you who think that's just
the punch line to some song or other may be pleasantly surprised. For
a recreation ground bearing this name actually exists. And, what is
more, has been in existence — for nearly a Century.
I won't guarantee that you'll find statues of postmen erected there. Or
even letters and parcels scattered about. Or in fact ANY philatelic
item on display.
But if you happen to be passing by there on a warm, sunny day, the
chances are that you'll see lots of postal workers. Eating their
sandwiches, gossipping, feeding the birds and generally relaxing
during their lunch break. For just a few yards away is London's Chief
Post Office and the Postal Headquarters of the Post Office.
The park is really a collection of church yards adjoining St. Botolph's
Church. And is in four parts. Laid out in 1880, it consists of St.
Botolph's disused burial ground and the churchyards of Newgate
Street and St. Leonard Foster. A fourth part was purchased by public
subscription a few years later.
Like all places of interest, Postman's Park has its stories to tell. One
person with a "sackful" of memories is Church warden. Lt. Col.
Gordon Edward Monamy Norman, Lt. Col. Norman is the fourth
generation of his family to be connected with the church and the
adjoining park.
"Take for instance the beautiful little fountain you are greeted with
upon entering from Aldersgate," he reminisced.
. "We had a fish about as big as your leg swimming there during the
last war. It became a tremendous attraction. And lived there for a
good fifteen years despite all the bombing".
Apparently the fish had at one time belonged to a local policeman,
who, for one reason or another, was no longer about to keep it. So,
rather than have it destroyed, he asked permission for it to live in the
fountain pool.
A main feature of the park is a memorial wall. Years ago, deeds of
bravery were not always openly recognised and • appreciated
like they are today. So in 1900 a man by the name of George
Frederick Watts RA constructed the memorial and laid the first
tablet.
Many of the tablets tell of heroic acts that had tragic consequences.
For example, "Henry James Bristow, aged 8 at Walthamston on
December 30, 1890. Saved his tittle sister's life by flamming clothes
but caught fire himself and died of burns and shock".
Or another which tells the story of a Frederick Alfred Croft, a
31-year-old inspector who saved a lunatic woman from her death at
Woolwich Arsenal Station, but was himself run over by a train on
January 11, 1878.
I was very impressed with the neatness of the entire park. The
patches of grass are well trimmed. And the variety of flowers provide
glorious colour. Several trees grow there. The newest addition being
a Quercus Robur-Oak. This was planted on Feb. 8th, 1973 by Sir
William Ryland, CB, Chairman of the Post Office and was to mark
the issue of the first UK postage stamp featuring a tree. "Plant a tree
year '73".
Several large notice boards adorn the park's railings, telling us "Open
air meetings (by kind permission of the Vicar) Monday 1-15 pm,
May to September".
And adds underneath "For God so loved that He gave His Son".
The Rev. Randolf Wise, the newly appointed Vicar to St. Botolph's
explained the notice to me.
"For many years, members of the YMCA and the Christian
Association of Postal Workers, met daily in the park for discussions.
Something like Speakers' Corner in London's Hyde Park". He
continued, "At one time, there were massive crowd gatherings every
lunch-time. The meetings still take place, but there is less
attendance".
The church itself, is large and majestic. Regular services are held
there. In a prominent position hangs a plaque headed "Post Office
Rifles". And carries on to say, "In memory of the 1846 all ranks of
the Battalions of the Post Office Rifles who gave their' lives in the
Great War 1914-18".
Apart from the postage stamp itself, not many things of postal
significance are older than Postman's Park. And Postmen and postal
workers alike are naturally proud of "their very own" little recreation
ground.
So would you be, they insist, if you were a postman!

Postman's footprints...........




Mr. Joseph Roulin....Postman.

Something our postie delivered the other day. KGV

Great stamps and covers all. A great thread too, many thanks to Rod.

Many thanks to Rod too for the information he gave us about Postman's Park.




I had never heard of this little corner of London before and have just spent some time researching the place.
As it is not far from the Guildhall Art gallery [Big KGV Exhibition], I will be able to pop along and take a look in May.
The Post Office and Postal Headquarters mentioned therein have long gone, but the commanding statue of a certain Sir Rowland Hill still stands proudly outside the Old Georgian Building.
Maybe I will visit him too and say thanks !



Londonbus1....For now, my thanks to Rod

Good luck Londonbus,
37 years later, hope it is stiill there.
Make sure your mobile phone batteries are charged
and make some pics.
I thought I had some images, but they must be hiding.

Oops what about old Wiki?...'ere ya go
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postman's_Park

From the Rusty Toning collection:

India:

Pingu!

Ryan