POST P.A. No. 1

The Post P.A. No. 1 was a street pillar, introduced to the UK around 1933 and were used on the P.A. 101, 150, 150TD and 150MP schemes.  They were made by Ericsson and would be part of a Police system that was installed around a Town.  In the Police Station there would have been a switchboard, which was wired away to strategic street positions where the Posts were located.  Phones could also be wired off these posts and they could be located inside nearby premises, say a Police office.  The strategic street positions were on corners and in places were a person had a good view of the Police Post and where a Policeman could see the light flashing from a distance.  The lantern lens was coloured amber.

The Post is made of Cast Iron and had a triangular shaped head.  The head has three doors:-

1. Public door - Sprung loaded so it shut after use.  Inside this door was a loudspeaker, with a microphone placed in the middle, covered by a metal grill.  The door had a pin which located on a switch.  Whist the door was open, the light on the top of the Post would be illuminated, so that patrolling Policemen could see that the post was in use and come to assist.

2. Police door - Fixed by means of a Yale type lock, the Police had their own telephone for speaking to the station in this compartment.  The door had a writing table fitted to it.

3. Engineers door - Fixed by means of triangular bolts, which would be removed by the use of a Key, Pillar.  Through this aperture the whole mechanism could be removed.

There are two other doors:-

1. Electrical Intake - this door is on the enlarged foot of the post and is fixed with triangular bolts.  It houses a mains fuse box.

2. First Aid - this door located in the body of the post itself and holds first aid equipment for public use.

Posts could be supplied with a lamp fitting or with a blank plate where the fitting would be.  The lamp fitting normally had an amber lens fitted and a Bell No. 60 could be installed in the domed cover.  There was also a light inside the head.

Inside the head of the post was fitted a Unit, Telephone P.A. No. 1 or 6A.  Click here for more information

Most Posts P.A. No. 1 were either removed completely or replaced by a Post P.A. No. 2 or No. 3 using the P.A. 450 system.

Most Police systems were defunct and withdrawn in the early 1960's as the Police changed over to radio communication.

These Posts were supplied by the GPO and came in a primed finish.  The local Police force were responsible for the final coloured top coat of paint.

Colours generally chosen were red, light blue and dark blue.

Drawings:-
61533 - Assembly
61534 - Detail of Pillar
61535 - Detail of body
61536 - Mains, first aid, top and police door
61537 - Public and inspections doors
61538 - Screws and fittings

Specification - S110C.

Go to the PA150 page for an overview of the complete system

Police Posts main page

Produced by Ericsson - see N20026.

Post PA No. 1 showing the first aid compartment (on the post).  The door on the top left is the locked Police door and the top right hand door is for the public. (Picture taken in St. Albans in 1935)	Engineers door open.  The side of the Police phone is just showing to the right. (Picture taken in St. Albans in 1935)
Engineer working on a post (Picture taken in St. Albans in 1935)	Member of the public making a public call (Picture taken in St. Albans in 1935) Note that the lantern is illuminated

Policeman making a public call
A small writing desk is provided as well
(Picture taken in St. Albans in 1935)

A Post P.A. No. 1 in Reading at the junction of the Wokingham Road and Holme Road.
Picture dated 1996 - Picture by Alan Murry-Rust

 

Post P.A. No. 1 located at Portman Road, Norwich, UK
The Post is situated so it can be seen in any direction
Picture is dated 1957
Ipswich Telephone Exchange is in the background
 

Click here for more information on Posts

Last revised: October 02, 2024