Post by Matt James on Apr 13, 2009 15:03:50 GMT
I started my service as a Telegram Messenger Boy in December 1941, at Spring Gardens, Head Post Office Manchester
I remember well that first morning, myself and three other new entrants, Bill Stansfield, Jimmy Hamman, and Dudly Spencely
We were given a rule book each, and instructed to read and assimilate the contents by the Inspector of Messengers. We spent all day and the following day reading them and trying to memorise all the information the points we thought would be of the most importance to us in the coming weeks.
For the next few weeks we were allowed out on the streets of Central Manchester with some of the senior messengers. I remember being given the low down on all the little dodges, and short cuts which were unknown to the majority of it�s citizens. It was stressed on me to be careful when on duty, there was always the chance of an Inspector keeping a watchful eye on us in the most unlikely places, if caught you would be landed with a form P18B (A Sin)in P.O. parlance.
The thing which all the new lads were waiting for was the new uniform, once you had that you were considered a real life Telegram Messenger Boys . I stayed at the head office for about six months, then I was transferred to a sub P.O. at a place called Northenden situated on the outskirts of Manchester near to where I lived in Wythenshawe . I was there for about six months. Then I got myself shipped back to Head Office for giving cheek to the Postmistress, (fully deserved) it taught me a lesson.
Discipline was strict in those days, and you were Inspected each morning to make sure you were properly dressed before you were allowed on to the streets of Manchester. I remember being sent home one winters morning for my overcoat, I was officially not dressed correctly, I was told in no uncertain terms that October to April was officially winter. I had to go home collect my overcoat and report back, it was a round journey of about sixteen miles at my own expense, another lesson learned.
One time on a Sunday duty I was given just six telegrams to deliver, but they were spread over a twenty mile radius, starting in Manchester, delivering a single telegram at six different districts, which included the limit of the Manchester area. It took me the whole of my duty to complete the tasks. It was a blistering hot day, and riding that big red bike just about finished me, by the time I arrived back at the office I was a physical wreck, much to the enjoyment of the lads who had managed to complete their Sunday duty a great deal easier than I did.
I volunteered for the Army in January while still only seventeen, on Demob, in 1948 I returned to the Post Office as a postman driver in 1949 I transferred to the engineering department.
One of the lads that started with me on that December morning Dudley Spensley finished up as assistant Area Engineer on the engineering side. I have never met him since, but a messenger who I knew when we were together at Spring Gardens told me.
I took early retirement in 1984 after Forty three years service
Thomas Farrell ( known as Cyd )
I remember well that first morning, myself and three other new entrants, Bill Stansfield, Jimmy Hamman, and Dudly Spencely
We were given a rule book each, and instructed to read and assimilate the contents by the Inspector of Messengers. We spent all day and the following day reading them and trying to memorise all the information the points we thought would be of the most importance to us in the coming weeks.
For the next few weeks we were allowed out on the streets of Central Manchester with some of the senior messengers. I remember being given the low down on all the little dodges, and short cuts which were unknown to the majority of it�s citizens. It was stressed on me to be careful when on duty, there was always the chance of an Inspector keeping a watchful eye on us in the most unlikely places, if caught you would be landed with a form P18B (A Sin)in P.O. parlance.
The thing which all the new lads were waiting for was the new uniform, once you had that you were considered a real life Telegram Messenger Boys . I stayed at the head office for about six months, then I was transferred to a sub P.O. at a place called Northenden situated on the outskirts of Manchester near to where I lived in Wythenshawe . I was there for about six months. Then I got myself shipped back to Head Office for giving cheek to the Postmistress, (fully deserved) it taught me a lesson.
Discipline was strict in those days, and you were Inspected each morning to make sure you were properly dressed before you were allowed on to the streets of Manchester. I remember being sent home one winters morning for my overcoat, I was officially not dressed correctly, I was told in no uncertain terms that October to April was officially winter. I had to go home collect my overcoat and report back, it was a round journey of about sixteen miles at my own expense, another lesson learned.
One time on a Sunday duty I was given just six telegrams to deliver, but they were spread over a twenty mile radius, starting in Manchester, delivering a single telegram at six different districts, which included the limit of the Manchester area. It took me the whole of my duty to complete the tasks. It was a blistering hot day, and riding that big red bike just about finished me, by the time I arrived back at the office I was a physical wreck, much to the enjoyment of the lads who had managed to complete their Sunday duty a great deal easier than I did.
I volunteered for the Army in January while still only seventeen, on Demob, in 1948 I returned to the Post Office as a postman driver in 1949 I transferred to the engineering department.
One of the lads that started with me on that December morning Dudley Spensley finished up as assistant Area Engineer on the engineering side. I have never met him since, but a messenger who I knew when we were together at Spring Gardens told me.
I took early retirement in 1984 after Forty three years service
Thomas Farrell ( known as Cyd )