Man goes viral on Facebook after revealing locations of Leeds postcodes with 'rare symbols'

A Leeds man instigated a viral post on a local Facebook forum after revealing his passion of hunting for postboxes with rare symbols across the city.
By Daniel Sheridan
Published 27th Jan 2021, 10:31 BST
Updated 28th Jan 2021, 09:06 BST
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Wayne McDermott, 49, said he had spent hours trawling the city on his daily walks to find postboxes which are adorned with symbols marking different monarchs.

Many Leeds residents - commenting on the original Leedsplace post - didn't realise that postboxes had any symbol other than Elizabeth ll.

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So when Wayne, a driving instructor, revealed that symbols representing six different monarchs appear on postboxes across the city, residents were eager to follow the trail and see for themselves.

A Leeds man instigated a viral post on a local Facebook forum after revealing his passion of hunting for postboxes with rare symbols across the city.A Leeds man instigated a viral post on a local Facebook forum after revealing his passion of hunting for postboxes with rare symbols across the city.
A Leeds man instigated a viral post on a local Facebook forum after revealing his passion of hunting for postboxes with rare symbols across the city.

Wayne's original Leedsplace post read: "Over the last few weeks of lockdown I've hunted for post boxes in Leeds dedicated to each monarch.

"Mission accomplished. Exciting stuff."

He included a picture montage of each different symbol available to find in the city.

The post received a huge reaction, with hundreds of Leeds residents commenting in disbelief.

The oldest postbox in LeedsThe oldest postbox in Leeds
The oldest postbox in Leeds
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Wayne, speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, said he was walking up to 6km a day in order to find the boxes.

He said: "I've always known they were different.

"My wife was watching the Crown and I googled the Edward VIII box.

"I thought I would investigate."

Wayne McDermott, 49, said he had spent hours trawling the city on his daily walks to find postboxes which are adorned with symbols marking different monarchs.Wayne McDermott, 49, said he had spent hours trawling the city on his daily walks to find postboxes which are adorned with symbols marking different monarchs.
Wayne McDermott, 49, said he had spent hours trawling the city on his daily walks to find postboxes which are adorned with symbols marking different monarchs.

The symbols range from Queen Victoria in 1837 to Queen Elizabeth ll present.

The locations of the postboxes for each symbol are as follows:

Victoria 1837-1901 (Tong Village)

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Edward VII 1901-1910 (Woodhouse Moor and 2 more on The Avenue roundhay)

Wayne McDermott, 49, said he had spent hours trawling the city on his daily walks to find postboxes which are adorned with symbols marking different monarchs.Wayne McDermott, 49, said he had spent hours trawling the city on his daily walks to find postboxes which are adorned with symbols marking different monarchs.
Wayne McDermott, 49, said he had spent hours trawling the city on his daily walks to find postboxes which are adorned with symbols marking different monarchs.

George V 1910-1936 (Tinshill lane)

Edward VIII 1936 abdicated (Cookridge)

George VI 1936-1952 (Great George street)

Elizabeth II 1952- (most common postboxes)

Wayne even discovered what is thought to be the oldest postbox in Leeds - at the entrance to the old Leeds General Infirmary building.

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