Post by Matt James on Apr 16, 2009 16:44:52 GMT
My 14th birthday was on the 4th November 1934 and messenger service started (I think) at Exeter HPO either late in December of that year or early in January 1935. I am also uncertain of my last D.O.S as a messenger and start as an S.C.& T at Torquay.
In order not to be thought too ga-ga or confused I do at least remember; as a level 2 Senior Sales Supt, retiring from the Exeter Telephone Area almost 28 years ago on my 60th birthday the 4th November 1980.
I have also managed to find a not too faded pic of self bursting with enthusiasm - dolled up in his first uniform, and looking more like a gigolo than a lad about to take his first tentative steps into the big wide working world. You will I am sure know the allocation of badge numbers was a random affair - presumably based on the system of and 'old' messenger leaving and his number dished out to the next recruit which in this case was me. The number however was '1' and very much coveted by my mates. The number '1' is very clear in the pic both on the high neck brass buttoned tunic and also on the pillbox peaked hat. Even more interesting (to me ) is the fact that I still have a brand new pillbox carrying the sparkling brass blue enamelled No.1 badge. I shall send u a separate pic of this item soon.
However - coming up '88' the memory is sluggish and even worse is the inclination to do things which a few years ago I did without thinking. I will nevertheless eventually get around to sending the anecdotal info.
Meanwhile during the week your press release about the website and its purpose appeared in our local evening rag.
The appearance of your press notice may of course result in the trawl of local readers producing details of my old colleagues of which at present I am unaware are still living in the locality. If any new names of former EXETER messengers comes to light please let me know - from a combined recapitulation exercise may emerge some very interesting long forgotten gem of a tale.
Apologies for wandering on a bit.
regards
ron dyson.
In order not to be thought too ga-ga or confused I do at least remember; as a level 2 Senior Sales Supt, retiring from the Exeter Telephone Area almost 28 years ago on my 60th birthday the 4th November 1980.
I have also managed to find a not too faded pic of self bursting with enthusiasm - dolled up in his first uniform, and looking more like a gigolo than a lad about to take his first tentative steps into the big wide working world. You will I am sure know the allocation of badge numbers was a random affair - presumably based on the system of and 'old' messenger leaving and his number dished out to the next recruit which in this case was me. The number however was '1' and very much coveted by my mates. The number '1' is very clear in the pic both on the high neck brass buttoned tunic and also on the pillbox peaked hat. Even more interesting (to me ) is the fact that I still have a brand new pillbox carrying the sparkling brass blue enamelled No.1 badge. I shall send u a separate pic of this item soon.
However - coming up '88' the memory is sluggish and even worse is the inclination to do things which a few years ago I did without thinking. I will nevertheless eventually get around to sending the anecdotal info.
Meanwhile during the week your press release about the website and its purpose appeared in our local evening rag.
The appearance of your press notice may of course result in the trawl of local readers producing details of my old colleagues of which at present I am unaware are still living in the locality. If any new names of former EXETER messengers comes to light please let me know - from a combined recapitulation exercise may emerge some very interesting long forgotten gem of a tale.
Apologies for wandering on a bit.
regards
ron dyson.