Individuals

The BPMA has a sizeable collection of archives relating to key individuals from the history of the Post Office. Many of our documents concerning individuals originate from the late-18th and 19th centuries. This material is largely made up of diaries, reports, secretary’s minutes, and correspondence which illuminate some of the pivotal developments in the history of the Post Office.

Our material on individuals is also very useful in terms of the sheer variety and breadth of its content. On the one hand, it covers areas of obvious historical importance. One example is the correspondence of Postmasters General with former Prime Ministers such as William Gladstone. There are also, however, stories of less well-known people. These reveal a more human aspect to postal history.

Here are four examples of records concerning individuals in our collection:

History of Francis Freeling’s work at the Post Office, 1809, finding number: POST 98/9

This handwritten history relates to the work of Francis Freeling at the Post Office. Freeling worked for the Post Office between 1783 and 1836. The account begins in 1791 and looks at Freeling’s role in the suppression of seditious material which had sprung up in Britain following the French Revolution.

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Cartoon of Rowland Hill, 1843, finding number: POST 111/97

This cartoon relates to the decision of Prime Minister Robert Peel not to extend Rowland Hill’s temporary contract at the Treasury. It shows Hill lying on the ground waving to a carriage which is carrying Peel into Downing Street.

Hill was dismissed on the false grounds that the Penny Post system was financially ineffective. This decision led to a public outcry in favour of Hill.

The cartoon demonstrates the sustained opposition Hill faced from those in positions of seniority. This adds to the enormity of his achievements, not least the introduction of the Penny Post.

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Letter regarding John Tilley's Knighthood, 19th April 1880, finding number: POST 101/23

This letter is from Benjamin Disraeli (then in his second term as Prime Minister) to John Tilley, retired Company Secretary. It informs him of Her Majesty's decision to give Tilley the distinction of a Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.

The letter is part of a series of correspondence both to and from John Tilley. The correspondence starts in 1853 and continues to 1880.

Tilley joined the Post Office as a clerk in 1829. His career was very successful and he succeeded Sir Rowland Hill as Company Secretary in 1864. He continued in this role until retirement in 1880. It was upon his retirement that he would have received this letter informing him of his knighthood.

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Derek Carter's statement of employment, 1954, finding number: POST 105/143

This certificate records the beginning of Derek Carter’s career in the Post Office, which lasted from 1954 until 1993.

Carter worked on Travelling Post Offices (TPO) and revived The Traveller, a magazine for TPO staff. He also assisted with the planning of the revision of East Anglian TPOs. He died while on duty in 1993.

POST 105 includes other personal artefacts relating to Derek Carter's career, such as a notification of promotion from 1969.

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