Post by Matt James on Apr 16, 2009 12:26:50 GMT
Hi All
Was surfing the net looking at things Telegraph when I came upon your Telegram Messenger Boys web site.
It brought back memories of working in the Central Telegraph Office in Fleet Building in London during the late 50's and early 60's.
Each six months or so we Telegraphists had to do a period of time at an 'Outstation'.
My first attachment was to Notting Hill Gate.
A Postman was in charge of the 'Moppers' during the day but we had to take 'Control' after he left around 5pm. The word control is a bit of a joke as working mainly at the CTO we did not come in contact with the messenger boys too often.
One day I was told by the local Head Postmaster that the Postal Superintendent wanted to see me. He said he wanted to know who did I think I was giving permission to Messenger Boys to use their bikes for personal use over the weekend. To which I replied 'I don't know what you are talking about'. He explained that he and his wife were passing through the area on the Sunday and caught two boys on Post Office Bicycles doing wheelies etc. They gave my name and told him I had told them it would be ok to use the bikes.
The Super accepted my word that I knew absolutely nothing about the incident and the boys were given a caution only.
The next time I saw them in the Telegraph Room, commonly called the Instrument Room, they gave me a big grin and one said 'Well it was worth a try'. They had been taking them home for a long long time. Anyway we all had a big of a laugh, but I gave them a hard time for a couple of weeks..
I can still see those young fella's sitting on a bench in the IR, waiting their turn to deliver a message...
Happy Days..
I came here to take up a post as an Aeradio Officer for the Australian Department of Civil Avation....I had been a Wireless Operator in the RAF....Been here for 42 years now.
All the best for your Telegram Messenger Boys club and yourself
Happy New Year (2008)
Yours Colin Davies
Was surfing the net looking at things Telegraph when I came upon your Telegram Messenger Boys web site.
It brought back memories of working in the Central Telegraph Office in Fleet Building in London during the late 50's and early 60's.
Each six months or so we Telegraphists had to do a period of time at an 'Outstation'.
My first attachment was to Notting Hill Gate.
A Postman was in charge of the 'Moppers' during the day but we had to take 'Control' after he left around 5pm. The word control is a bit of a joke as working mainly at the CTO we did not come in contact with the messenger boys too often.
One day I was told by the local Head Postmaster that the Postal Superintendent wanted to see me. He said he wanted to know who did I think I was giving permission to Messenger Boys to use their bikes for personal use over the weekend. To which I replied 'I don't know what you are talking about'. He explained that he and his wife were passing through the area on the Sunday and caught two boys on Post Office Bicycles doing wheelies etc. They gave my name and told him I had told them it would be ok to use the bikes.
The Super accepted my word that I knew absolutely nothing about the incident and the boys were given a caution only.
The next time I saw them in the Telegraph Room, commonly called the Instrument Room, they gave me a big grin and one said 'Well it was worth a try'. They had been taking them home for a long long time. Anyway we all had a big of a laugh, but I gave them a hard time for a couple of weeks..
I can still see those young fella's sitting on a bench in the IR, waiting their turn to deliver a message...
Happy Days..
I came here to take up a post as an Aeradio Officer for the Australian Department of Civil Avation....I had been a Wireless Operator in the RAF....Been here for 42 years now.
All the best for your Telegram Messenger Boys club and yourself
Happy New Year (2008)
Yours Colin Davies