A POTTED HISTORY OF POSTBOXES IN UNITED KINGDOM
Records show that the first postbox was installed in 1853 in Carlisle following a trial in the Channel Islands. 

The red colour was standardised in 1874, earlier models were green. 

In 2012, xx postboxes were painted gold in recognition of the community of an Olympic Gold Medal winner. there os not a gold postbox n Walton-on-Thames. the nearest is in North Lane, Teddington in recognition of athlete Mo Farrah's medals in the  

The insignia of the reigning monarch features on the front of each box. 

So far, there have been six possible insignias:
Queen Victoria (1837-1901), King Edward VII (1901-1910), King George V (1910-1936), Edward VIII (1936), King George VI(1936-1952), Queen Elizabeth II (1952 - present day).

POSTBOXES IN WALTON-ON-THAMES
In Walton-on-Thames, there are 17??? postboxes. There is at least one bearing each possible insignia.