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Post by Matt James on Apr 16, 2009 12:36:32 GMT
William Charles Taylor born 2nd April 1888 in Harleston, Norfolk.
In April 1900, at the age of 12, William left school to become a Post Office Messenger Boy (his Father also worked as a Postman) in the Harleston area.
It was a hard life as all messages had to be delivered by Shanks’s Pony.
After some time, the Post Office decided that any Messenger Boy who walked more than 4 miles on a certain day would qualify for a bicycle! On the appointed day, William was greatly disappointed that he had not walked far enough – until 7-45pm – when a telegram came through and had to be delivered to an address 3 or 4 miles away. He was so excited and rushed home to tell his mother and also to ask if his two older sisters would walk with him through the dark country lanes (one which was reputed to be haunted by a ghostly “Carriage and Four”)
The journey was completed successfully and the bicycle was awarded
In 1937, William C.Taylor became my Father-in-Law by which time he was working for the Post Office in Norwich. Until he retired in 1953 he drove Post Office Vans, receiving several awards for his exemplary driving record. He died in 1968, A remarkable man in many ways, mostly self-taught but very capable, and a great example to me
H.D.Bailey (William Charles Taylor)
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