A postcard image showing Mannofield Post Office on the corner of Great Western Road and Cranford Road. The junction for the latter is on the left.

The staff of the post office stand proudly outside their premises. The sign above the door indicates that the business was run by Mrs. Groundwater. This is likely the woman standing to the left of the door.

As indicated on the border to the left of the image, this postcard was published by E. Groundwater. Aberdeen post office directories from the time indicate that Mrs. E. Groundwater ran the Mannofield Post Office at 531 Great Western Road, which remains this building's address in modern times, and lived just to the left of this image at 4 Cranford Road.

Adverts for Rowntree's Cocoa, Fry's Chocolate and cigarettes are shown on the exterior of the post office. There is also a sandwich board outside the door which appears to be adverting the contents of the Aberdeen Free Press newspaper.

Historic newspapers indicate that Elizabeth Forbes Groundwater (1874-1950), née Sutherland, in later life lived at 592 Clifton Road. She was the widow of Allan Groundwater of Stoneywood and South Africa. On her death, she left a legacy of £2,398 to be shared among the Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind, the Royal Aberdeen Hospital for Sick Children, Aberlour Orphanage, and Newhills Convalescent Home.

This postcard was likely sold in Groundwater's post office. It was sent in 1904 and was sent from a local girl, who signs it "Mary W.", to a young friend, a Miss Allan of 5 Halkyn Terrace, Sefton Park, Liverpool, who had evidently visited Aberdeen.

The message written along the bottom of the postcard reads "Do you remember coming along this road and round the corner to our country house?" In the early 20th century there were a number of country houses in the vicinity.

The shown corner building at 531 Great Western Road still stands at the time of writing in 2025. An additional upper storey has been added above.

Location

Mannofield

Keyword

Streets

Photographer