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Last Post: Remembering the First World War is a fascinating exploration of the role of the Post Office during the First World War. In 1914, the Post Office employed over 250,000 people, delivered billions of letters and parcels annually, and was responsible for telegraphs, telephones and banking services. The outbreak of war saw many changes to the organisation and its workers, who played an important role in the war effort.
Last Post tells the stories of the role of postal workers at war and on the Home Front, through medals, uniforms, correspondence and treasures from both the BPMA and the Imperial War Museum collections. Find out about the Post Office Rifles and their brave action on the battlefield, the increasing role of women in the war effort, postal censorship and spycatching, and the determination of the Post Office to maintain an essential postal service for military and civilian correspondence against all odds.
The BPMA is delighted to present the exhibition at The Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms, from Thursday 6 November 2008 until Sunday 15 February 2009.
Event details: External exhibition - Last Post: Remembering the First World War.
Location: The Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1.
Date: Thursday 6 November 2008 - Saturday 14 February 2009.
Time: 9.30 am - 6.00 pm (last admission 5.00 pm).
Price: See The Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms admission charges for details. Pre-booking required? Tickets can be booked, but booking is optional.
Suitable for? Anyone interested in postal or military history, particularly the First World war.
Related events:
Talk: Women Workers in the Post Office, 1914 - 1939
Film Screening: Britain At Bay (1940)
Royal Mail vehicle converted to a sledge in Archangle, Russia.
(Please repatriate this equipment to the UK for Christmas Pressure!)
British Forces Post Office sorting mail on the Western Front.
Post marked '1 AUG 16' item cover 'Censored on Ship'.
Mail bags at Home Depot London.
Wounded Indian Troops writing a letter home.
Censored cover -'Passed Naval Censor' with 'dump' stamp cancellation.
Cartoon depicting the censor.
Postmaster General Warrant.
The huge contribution to the war effort made by Post Office employees between 1914 and 1918 is the theme of a special exhibition and series of lectures at London's Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms.
Over 75,000 Post Office workers fought in the trenches, including 12,000 who joined the organisation's own battalion - the Post Office Rifles. Over 8,500 lost their lives.
Highlights of Last Post: Remembering the First World War, which runs until 28 February, include the Victoria Cross awarded to Sgt. Alfred Knight of the Post Office Rifles, along with uniforms, letters and photographs.
Heroism
The lectures bring to life the heroism of those who fought, and the dedication of those who maintained a service at home - providing vital support for those at the front.
On 6 January Rebecca Tomlinson discusses the important role played by the Post Office Rifles and the heroism that won them their medals. On 27 January visitors will be able to hear from Helen Glew on the working lives of women employed by the General Post Office from 1914 to 1939.
In February the lectures take a wider view with a look at the Post Office during the Second World War (2 February) and Winston Churchill's role in the 1914-18 conflict (23 February).
The final lecture takes place on 5 March, when Peter Sutton looks at the complexities of the role of the Post Office during the First World War.
