List of countries that have used postal orders facts for kids

One of the most famous postal orders in history - the one alleged to have been cashed by George Archer-Shee.

Have you ever wondered how people sent money to each other before online banking or even credit cards? One important way was through something called a postal order. This special piece of paper was like a safe way to send money through the mail. It was issued by a post office and could be cashed at another post office. Many countries around the world used postal orders, especially those connected to the British Empire. This article lists the countries that used them.

What is a Postal Order?

A postal order is a type of money order that people used to send money safely through the mail. Imagine you wanted to send £5 to your friend in another town. Instead of putting cash in an envelope, which could get lost or stolen, you would go to a post office. You'd pay the post office £5 (plus a small fee), and they would give you a special paper called a postal order for £5. You could then mail this paper to your friend. When your friend received it, they would take it to their local post office and exchange it for £5 in cash.

Postal orders were very popular for many years, especially before banks were common everywhere and before electronic payments existed. They were a simple and trusted way to move money from one place to another using the postal service.

Countries That Used Postal Orders

Many countries around the world used postal orders. They were especially common in countries that were part of the British Empire or the British Commonwealth. This is because the British postal system was very influential and its methods, like postal orders, spread to many places.

The British Empire and Commonwealth

The British Empire was a huge collection of countries and territories ruled or influenced by the United Kingdom. When these places became independent, many joined the British Commonwealth. Because of their shared history and postal systems, most of these countries adopted the use of postal orders.

Other Countries Around the World

Beyond the British Empire, many other countries also found postal orders to be a useful way to send money. They developed their own systems or adapted ideas from other nations.

Special Military Postal Orders

Sometimes, postal orders were also used by military forces, especially when soldiers were serving far from home. These special issues helped them send money to their families or manage their finances while on duty.

• British Army of the Rhine
• British Forces Post Offices
• Indian Field Force in Egypt