World War One postmen fighters honoured

Several Birmingham postmen who died in World War One were recently honoured for their service in the conflict.

On July 20th, a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum was re-dedicated to these Birmingham postal service workers in a ceremonial occasion.

Their sacrifice in the global conflict was recognised at the ceremony, with Reverend Tony Wood leading a service and Royal Mail representatives and the men's descendants in attendance.

"We’re pleased we’ve been able to rededicate this memorial to the seven postmen who served their King and country during the First World War," said Royal Mail's Peter Armitage MBE.

"It is a fitting tribute to the men to have the memorial displayed at the National Memorial Arboretum – the home of remembrance in the UK."

The memorial was found in a Birmingham building being demolished. Birmingham History Forum member Linda Harrington found out about the memorial stone and she and Royal Mail worked together to arrange for it to be rededicated.

"It’s a wonderful dedication to the seven postmen who fought in the war and it’s great that they are being recognised in this way," she has said.

Royal Mail has explained that, in the War, the General Post Office released 75,000 staff to serve, 12,000 of whom were part of the Post Office Rifles regiment.

Royal Mail has the role of custodian for some 250 war memorials linked to the First World War.

The seven servicemen who were honoured in the recent ceremony were Albert Edward Sharp, Alexander Leadbeater, Alfred Edwin Meredith, Charles Bull, Cornelius Ernest Neal, Frank Concannon and Henry James Holmes.

Royal Mail's World War One commemorations include a five year series of Special Stamps – the first of which was released late last month – and events at its war memorials.