Open For Business

24,000 post offices kept open for business all through the war. They allowed people to collect pensions and allowances, send telegrams and mail, as well as save for the war effort. 

By 1945 the Post Office was paying out £8,000,000 a week in pensions and allowances, while Savings Bank deposits were increased from £500,000,000 to £1,600,000,000 as people were encouraged to ‘Save for Victory’. 

The Post Office distributed ration books and information to the public, but also took in taxes such as motor and dog licences and Income Tax stamps. Every penny was needed for the war.

Often there were not enough staff to go round and many temporary staff were trained up to take GPO jobs, including service men and women. 

Many post offices were bombed and temporary post offices were erected in tents in the street, in order to keep the service going.

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