Ray Broadfield 1959 (Kingston-upon-Thames)

[Matt James]

Originally posted by Roger Green

Hi Roger,

Just registered to the site still trying to get the hang of this computer lark

I'm sure this site is destined to get much larger as more ex wags,or moppers as we were known down our way get to find out about this site,there must be thousands of us out there ie.lads who just did 2-3 years and left,as well as the likes of me who done 1959 to 1963 at Kingston-upon-Thames before going to New Malden where i still work for Royal Mail,but I can honestly say my time as a mopper even taking some of the rough times into account were the best.There must be a wealth of stories out there

This site is something that was needed,as it is a great way of recording part of the history of the Post Office somthing Royal Mail was quick to try and throw away during its mad rush to modernise in the 1980's as head postmasters districts were done away with or amalgamated,I know for a fact that old artifacts and doccuments ended up in rubbish skips.

I also believe it is a small part of the social history of this country and should be recorded.As you know there is quite a bit to be found about the working of the telegraph,but very little if anything about the lads at the sharp end,possibly because we were a very small cog in the big wheel of the system and often overlooked when it came to recording any postal history,and most of the people running Royal Mail now and people who write or do articles for the Courier were not even around in the days of the telegram.Anyway I'v'e babbled on enough for now,so keep up the good work,and all the best to one old wag from one old mopper.

Ray Broadfield

[Matt James]

Originally posted by Bidstonhall

very well said, could'nt agree more, all these tales will be lost for ever shortly

[maxiebacon]

Well said RAY, I was a mopper at Leicester Square 1959-1962
as you point out, tons of stories we could all tell & I sincerely
hope we never lose it, I retired in 2004 after 40 + years.

maxie bacon ( london )

[woodie2396]

Well said Mate . I have found the perfect way to keep our stories going, by visiting Schools . Museums and OAP clubs. Giving talks with slides. I have spoken at the Kingston probus club, Kingston Museum and loads of clubs in the Kingston district. I have visited the New Malden Delivery Office with my Bantams and Morris Minor Mail Van of the 1960's. this was at the request of PHG Mole Wilson now a Fireman near Portsmouth. I also do voluntary work for Postal Heritage, talking of the heyday of the GPO the finest PO in the world. Take care Mopper Woodie

[raybroadfield]

hi Woodie,i remember you comming to New Malden in the Minor i was late PHG that afternoon ,if you remember i gave you a brand new unused long brown dust coat with the red piping for your collection,iv'e often wondered what happened to Mole Wilson since he left , we worked regular late turns together,when you next have contact with him give him my best wishes.I am still at New Malden part time doing the cycle repairs ,that makes 50 years up and still going.
all the best Ray