Despatch Collection

British Army messager pigeon service
Taking birds out: to the trenches by despatch-riders to let the pigeons fly for training. Regular going and coming supply service of birds between the pigeon homing lofts at Divisional

Queen Victoria and Munshi Abdul Karim, 1900
Queen Victoria, Empress of India, listening to a despatch describing the elation of the troops at the services they had rendered to the Queen. Her Indian servant, Munshi Abdul Karim, supports her

The British Second Army in Valkenswaard, Holland; Second Wor
Photograph showing advance units of the British Second Army in the Dutch village of Valkenswaard, September 1944. This was the first settlement in Holland to be liberated

AFS despatch rider and messenger, WW2
An AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) despatch rider and messenger on a motorbike at an LFS sub-station during the Second World War

Women dispatch riders in training, WW2
Women dispatch riders in training during the Second World War

Christmas parcels for the trenches 1916
Army Post Office in Regents Park, was receiving a rate of half a million parcels for Christmas a day for the soldiers in the trenches

Jos Chamberlain / Vfair 01
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN Liberal MP at the despatch box

Despatch riders with Douglas motorcycles, WW1
Two despatch riders with Douglas 349cc motorcycles during the First World War. Date: circa 1916

Firefighters outside mobile kitchen, WW2
Firefighters enjoying a mug of tea outside a mobile kitchen presented to the National Fire Service by the Order of the Eastern Star, Manitoba, Canada, during the Second World War

Firefighters outside mobile kitchen, WW2
Firefighters enjoying a mug of tea outside a mobile kitchen presented to the National Fire Service by the Order of the Eastern Star, Manitoba, Canada, during the Second World War

Armada / Warning Beacons
THE SPANISH ARMADA Beacon-fires warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada

The Special Private Despatch by Margaret Bradley
A colour illustration of lady dressed in a glamorous ballgown accepting a love letter from a unseen gentleman. Date: 7th December 1927

An engraving depicting the 'Despatch' delivery tricycle by Messrs Starly & Sutton
5310650 An engraving depicting the 'Despatch' delivery tricycle by Messrs Starly & Sutton, Coventry - which cost approximately £30

Merchants Transportation Company, Despatch, N.Y. between 1900 and 1920. Creator: Unknown
Merchants Transportation Company, Despatch, N.Y. between 1900 and 1920

Reading a dispatch at the Town Hall in the 9th arrondissement, 6, rue Drouot (Jan 19, 1871), 1871
Reading a dispatch at the Town Hall in the 9th arrondissement, 6, rue Drouot (January 19, 1871) , 1871

On the Dizzy Brink (engraving)
2777093 On the Dizzy Brink (engraving) by Tenniel, John (1820-1914) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: On the Dizzy Brink. Cartoon, 19 January 1878)

RFC Woman Dispatch Rider, by W H Margetson, WW1
Royal Flying Corps Woman Dispatch Rider, by William Henry Margetson, First World War. circa 1917

Railway despatch yard, Port Sunlight, early 1900s

H. M. S. Alert - Despatch Vessel
H.M.S. Alert (K 647) - Despatch Vessel, (formerly Bay-Class Frigate Dundrum Bay K 427) - Commissioned in 1946. Date: circa 1950s

Volunteer motorcyclists during WW1

WW2 - The Girls Of Today, M. T. C
A WW2 children's book illustration from The Girls Of Today. The image shows a despatch rider of the Mechanised Transport Corps. Date: circa 1940s

A despatch orderly mounting outside the troop stable
Mount - a despatch orderly of the 17th Lancers mounting outside the troop stable. The smartest men are generally chosen for this duty

WW2, Despatch Rider
This illustration shows a young woman serving as a despatch rider for the Women's Transport Service, possibly delivering some urgent orders during WW2. Date: circa 1941

A Foreign Office Dispatch bag, sealed and addressed to the British Ambassador at Constantinople
745816 A Foreign Office Dispatch bag, sealed and addressed to the British Ambassador at Constantinople, ready for delivery to a Queen's Foreign Service Messenger

A Dispatch-Bearer Egyptian Camel Corps, 1888. Creator: Elizabeth Thompson
A Dispatch-Bearer Egyptian Camel Corps, 1888. From, The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 38. July to December, 1888

War correspondent Alan Wood typing out a despatch, 1944 (b / w photo)
5922351 War correspondent Alan Wood typing out a despatch, 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum

The Khedive saluting the Holy Carpet at Cairo before its Despatch to Mecca, 5 October (engraving)
1061355 The Khedive saluting the Holy Carpet at Cairo before its Despatch to Mecca, 5 October (engraving) by Durand, Godefroy (1832-1896); Private Collection; (add.info)

Despatch case used by the Duke of Wellington, 1808 circa
5926641 Despatch case used by the Duke of Wellington, 1808 circa by British School, (19th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Despatch case used by the Duke of Wellington, 1808 circa)

3c Washington City Despatch local post stamp, 1842. Creator: Unknown
3c Washington City Despatch local post stamp, 1842

The Outrage on the Trent, Lord Lyons communicating Earl Russells Despatch to Mr Secretary Seward (engraving)
1620094 The Outrage on the Trent, Lord Lyons communicating Earl Russells Despatch to Mr Secretary Seward (engraving) by English School

Oyster-Culture, the Famous Beds at Cancale, Brittany (b / w photo)
1601351 Oyster-Culture, the Famous Beds at Cancale, Brittany (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oyster-Culture, the Famous Beds at Cancale, Brittany)

Advert, Asprey & Sons, Travelling Bags etc
Advert, Asprey & Sons, Bond Street and Albemarle Street, London -- Travelling Bags, Jewel Cases, Despatch Boxes, Dressing Case and Toilet Set. 1880

The Despatch of HMS "Leander"to Petropaulovski to enquire into the Seizure of Canadian Sealing Vessels by
1047817 The Despatch of HMS " Leander" to Petropaulovski to enquire into the Seizure of Canadian Sealing Vessels by the Russians (engraving) by English School

The War in Egypt, Notes at Bombay, preparing for the Departure of the Indian Contingent (engraving)
1061090 The War in Egypt, Notes at Bombay, preparing for the Departure of the Indian Contingent (engraving) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in Egypt)

German Reconnaissance patrol WWII
German Reconnaissance patrol scouting the roads and communications in France during World War II Date: 1940

German despatch riders WWII
German despatch riders on Mercedes motorcycles in Aisne, France, during World War II Date: 1940

The Khedive saluting the holy carpet at Cairo before its despatch to Mecca (engraving)
728481 The Khedive saluting the holy carpet at Cairo before its despatch to Mecca (engraving) by Villiers, Frederic (1851-1922); Private Collection; (add.info)

Despatch from Trebizond;Some news is come that turns their countenances
658271 Despatch from Trebizond; Some news is come that turns their countenances - Shakespeare, c.1873 (oil on canvas) by Wallis

Benjamin Bombastes (engraving)
2777094 Benjamin Bombastes (engraving) by Tenniel, John (1820-1914) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Benjamin Bombastes. Cartoon, 4 August 1877)

A Zouave Encampment, 1886 (colour litho)
CHT173712 A Zouave Encampment, 1886 (colour litho) by Detaille, Jean-Baptiste Edouard (1848-1912); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

The War in Egypt, from Ismailia to the Front by Train (engraving)
1061089 The War in Egypt, from Ismailia to the Front by Train (engraving) by Johnson, Herbert (1848-1906); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in Egypt, from Ismailia to the Front by Train)

The Duke of Wellington writing the Despatch after Waterloo (engraving)
1618578 The Duke of Wellington writing the Despatch after Waterloo (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Russo-Turkish War (engraving)
1590141 Russo-Turkish War (engraving) by Robinson, Charles (1840-81); Private Collection; (add.info.: Russo-Turkish War. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 16 March 1878)

Londons New Year Gift to Crippled Children (litho)
1629159 Londons New Year Gift to Crippled Children (litho) by Cleaver, Ralph (fl.1902); Private Collection; (add.info.: Londons New Year Gift to Crippled Children)

The pneumatic despatch tube (engraving)
614578 The pneumatic despatch tube (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The pneumatic despatch tube: the Holborn end of the tube on the opening day)

Grand Procession of Plymouth, on the First Despatch of the Cape Mails (engraving)
1097104 Grand Procession of Plymouth, on the First Despatch of the Cape Mails (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Grand Procession of Plymouth)

Speedway riders at aCommand HQ, March 1944. Sergeant Paddy Dukelow & signalman Tom Hoys were motorcycle speedway rivals before the way

1915 BSA Model K with despatch rider of the 109th Motorcycle Infantry Regiment, French Army. The 109th Infantry Regiment had its origins in Troupe Coloniale Martinique et Guadeloupe, created 1772

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"Despatch: A Journey Through Time and Service" Queen Victoria and Munshi Abdul Karim, 1900: Witness the unique bond between Queen Victoria and her trusted confidant, Munshi Abdul Karim, as they exchange despatches that shaped history. The British Second Army in Valkenswaard, Holland; Second World War: Explore the crucial role riders in relaying vital information during wartime operations, ensuring effective communication on the frontlines. British Army messenger pigeon service: Discover the incredible feats of these feathered heroes who fearlessly carried life-saving messages across enemy lines during times of conflict. AFS despatch rider and messenger, WW2: Step into the shoes of a fearless Allied Forces Services (AFS) despatch rider who braved danger to deliver urgent messages amidst chaos and uncertainty. Women dispatch riders in training, WW2: Uncover the inspiring stories of courageous women who defied societal norms by becoming skilled dispatch riders during World War II, breaking barriers with every ride. Christmas parcels for the trenches 1916: Delve into heartwarming tales of hope as dedicated individuals send festive care packages to soldiers at warfronts, bringing joy amidst darkness during Christmas time. Despatch riders with Douglas motorcycles, WW1: Ride alongside brave despatch riders mounted on powerful Douglas motorcycles as they navigate treacherous terrains to ensure swift communication between units during World War I. Firefighters outside mobile kitchen, WW2: Witness firefighters' unwavering dedication as they gather outside a mobile kitchen to receive vital instructions through rapid-fire despatches while battling flames amid wartime chaos. The Special Private Despatch by Margaret Bradley: Experience an emotional journey through Margaret Bradley's poignant book "The Special Private Despatch, " capturing personal accounts from those affected by war's aftermath – a testament to resilience and healing. Armada/Warning Beacons.