Published in Windlesora 06 (1987)
© WLHG
Possibly the first reference to a Post Office in Windsor was in 1675 when for the duration of King Charles II’s stay, Mr Davies the Postmaster was ordered to arrange for the Letter Office to be set up at the White Lion in the Market Place, or, ‘If ye White Lyon be not Convenient, to Appoint some other fitt house with stables near ye Court.’
It has been difficult to find a map showing the location of an early Post Office, but I have seen one in the Royal Library, believed to date from about 1841, which shows an office on the site of No.15 Sheet Street.
Before the introduction of postage stamps and letter boxes, business was done at Receiving Houses, usually from the pavement through a window, the postage being paid by the recipients. When these offices were closed there was still an opportunity for posting letters, by means of bellmen who, carrying a wooden posting box, would ring a bell to attract the attention of the public. The following notice appeared:
“Windsor Post Office – To those persons who live at a distance from the Post Office, a great convenience is now afforded by a postman perambulating the streets with a bell to intimate his approach, and receiving letters for the Post Office at a small charge. This arrangement is a speculation of the postman (Pierce) and we hope it will be found sufficiently profitable to induce him to continue it. We observe also that the box is locked during the collection, and that the key of it remains in the possession of Mr Cook, the Postmaster.’
Windsor and Eton Express December 6, 1845.
Has Windsor a connection with the introduction by Rowland Hill of the first adhesive postage stamp? A pamphlet written by Hill and published in 1837 by Charles Knight (1) entitled Post Office Reform: its Importance and Practicability has the following statement,
‘Perhaps the difficulties might be obviated by using a bit of paper just large enough to bear the stamp, and covered at the back with a glutinous wash which by applying a little moisture might be attached to the back of the letter.‘
Post Office Reform: its Importance and Practicability; Rowland Hill, 1837.
In the Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the History of Penny Postage,(2) there is the following,
‘A few years ago, when the expediency of entirely abolishing the newspaper stamp, and allowing newspapers to pass through the Post Office for one penny each, was under consideration, it was suggested by Mr. Charles Knight, the publisher, that the postage on newspapers might be collected by selling stamped wrappers at one penny each. Availing myself of this excellent suggestion, I proposed the following arrangement: Let stamped covers and sheets be supplied to the public from the Stamp Office or Post Office, as may be most convenient, and sold at such a price to include the postage. Letters and newspapers so stamped might be put into the Post Office letter box, as at present, instead of being delivered to the Receiver. Covers at various prices, would be required for packets of various weights; and each should have the weight legibly printed with the stamp.” ’
Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the History of Penny Postage.
The first pillar box to be erected in the Windsor Postal Area (1853- 55), was adjacent to the Clewer New Town Post Office at what is now No. 10, Dedworth Road. With the introduction of the postage stamp and letter boxes the number of Receiving Offices waned. In 1858 Letter Carriers were provided with uniforms, consisting of a red jacket and black top hat. A Minute to the Post Master General in March of that year reads, ‘
Authority was given many years ago for supplying the Mail Cart drivers with uniform clothing on the ground of there being a Royal residence at that town: I think it is desirable on the same ground…to furnish the Letter Carriers of Windsor with uniform clothing…There are only three Letter Carriers in that town and the expense will not therefore exceed £5 a year.’
A Minute to the Post Master General; 1858.
The introduction of robins on Christmas cards was because of public affection for these men who were known as ‘Robins’ because of the colour of their coats. A postman’s life could be dangerous, as is shown by an item in the Windsor and Eton Express January 31, 1819:
‘It is said that on Tuesday evening after 6 o’clock, James Harris, the postman employed to deliver the evening mail between Windsor and Old Windsor, was set upon by footpads when half-a-mile from the village. He was knocked to the ground and then robbed of his mail, and the villains also tock his watch and other personal possessions, before leaving him in the ditch, he was treated inhumanly.’
Windsor and Eton Express January 31, 1819
In 1859 there was a proposal for a new Post Office, but the site at No. 3, High Street was refused. Many readers will remember where it was eventually built – No. 57 High Street, now occupied by the offices of Towry Law. It is recorded that the Town Council wanted a four storey building, believing it would be compatible with surrounding buildings, but the Treasury considered a three storey building adequate, no doubt with an eye on the extra costs involved. After an appeal by the Council, the Treasury relented but informed the Council that they must pay for the extra storey: the Post Office was built with three storeys.
Work on the new Post Office commenced in 1885 and the building was opened on February 19, 1887. Oddly the stone work over the main entrance bore the date 1885; was this optimism on the part of the builders? Many readers will no doubt recall the pleasing red brick building with stone dressings, and a large oriel window. The public room was 14 feet high, with a mahogany counter and a brass railing separating the clerks from the public. With only two clerks employed, the counter was open from 7 am until 10 pm, and this was not changed until 1907. Change came eventually: postmen were issued with bicycles, trucks were used for parcel deliveries, and in the 1920’s horse-drawn vehicles were superseded.
In 1957, No 38-39, Peascod Street, formerly the site of W. Creak, outfitters was purchased for a new Post Office; but the building was not completed until 1966 when it was opened on May 11th by the Mayor, Councillor William Pratt.
How many readers are aware of the ‘secret Post Office’? Most visitors to Windsor Castle do not realise there is a Post Office within the precincts, but it is only for the use of the officials and servants of the Royal Household. The Office is staffed from Windsor and Slough but is under the direct control of the Court Postmaster. The date of its opening is unknown but it was certainly in operation during Queen Victoria’s reign.
Until 1902 the Royal Mail was handed over at Windsor Post Office to a Corporal of Horse and two Troopers of the Life Guards, for conveyance to Windsor Castle. After that time the mail was sent direct to the Castle. When the Court is in residence, a postman is loaned from Windsor to deliver the mail to the various officials. The Post Office was originally adjacent to the Queen’s Dolls House, but in 1963 the Duke of Edinburgh found a quantity of dolls clothing and bric-a-brac at Buckingham Palace. In order for it to be displayed the Post Office was moved to a former billiard room, providing better accommodation for the staff. The Castle Post Office is open daily from 8 am until 10.30 pm.
Fred Fuzzens
Notes:
1. Charles Knight. See first article in this issue for an account of Knight’s life and work.
2. HILL, Rowland and HILL, George Birkbeck Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the History of Penny Postage; 1880 Thos. De la Rue & Co.
Windsor Local History Group 