The Post Office 
On Monday 10 June the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship (PORF) was delighted to welcome guests to the NMA for the re-dedication of the GPO Memorial Garden, which it has funded. After some three years of planning and execution, the garden, which occupies a prominent position near the Visitor Centre, has been completely redesigned and now provides a stunning memorial to the 12,830 men and women of the GPO who fell in the two World Wars.
Designed by sculptor and artist Peter Naylor and constructed by Proto Glass Studios, glass panels depict photographs of postal and communication workers in wartime. The glass panels are surrounded by new planting designed by Fira Landscape Architecture and the groundwork carried out by Scott Developments. W. Campbell and Son made the foundations and metal structure to hold the glass. It provides a fitting tribute to so many lives lost.
The PORF was delighted that The Right Honourable Alan Johnson, who began his distinguished political and writing career as a postman, agreed to open the garden. His very moving speech emphasised the essential nature of the work done by the GPO in wartime. Also present were the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson, the High Sheriff, Julia Mitchell, and the Mayors of Stafford and East Staffordshire, Frank James and Shelagh McKiernan, as well as many other guests. At the event they were also able to view the unique Memorial Books, previously owned by the PORF and now held by The Postal Heritage Trust.
The rededicated garden shows how vital the work of the GPO was to the everyday life of the nation in wartime. In particular letters and telegrams were lifelines both for soldiers at the front and for families at home. Perhaps not so well known is the part the GPO played in code breaking and the development of communication channels including computing. The garden also now stands as a fitting tribute to all the GPO people who worked steadfastly to keep services going through the turmoil and tragedy of war, and a place for their descendants to remember and pay tribute to them.
