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Post by Matt James on Apr 16, 2009 14:41:05 GMT
As for myself I started as a Boy Messenger in September 1952 at age 15.Although officially we were "Young Postmen". Until we were 18 we could not perform the early 6 till 2 shift,but we did do the 7 to 3,8 to 4,9 to 5,10 to 6 and 11 to 7 pm shifts.We had to parade every day with sparkling black boots,leather belts / pouches and highly polished brass buckles.When I was 16, I went on to ride BSA 125cc Bantams.The last year of my messenger service unfortunately I spent off sick recovering from TB.We were pretty fit otherwise in those days and we could cycle up any of the steep hills out of the City Centre without getting off even though the bikes were sit up and beg things with fixed gears. Some of the familiar words we used to use were "blacking" when referring to overtime."Beaning" which was unofficially riding in pairs.Four pennorth of lag from Lou's was a mash can full of tea from the Empire Cafe which was usually an errand for Stan Day or Percy Mears the PHGs in charge of us.When I was a messo there were 45 of us in Nottingham City.
John Balderson (Badge number 1001) Nottingham
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Post by themyth on Jun 25, 2013 3:52:50 GMT
As for myself I started as a Boy Messenger in September 1952 at age 15.Although officially we were "Young Postmen". Until we were 18 we could not perform the early 6 till 2 shift,but we did do the 7 to 3,8 to 4,9 to 5,10 to 6 and 11 to 7 pm shifts.We had to parade every day with sparkling black boots,leather belts / pouches and highly polished brass buckles.When I was 16, I went on to ride BSA 125cc Bantams.The last year of my messenger service unfortunately I spent off sick recovering from TB.We were pretty fit otherwise in those days and we could cycle up any of the steep hills out of the City Centre without getting off even though the bikes were sit up and beg things with fixed gears. Some of the familiar words we used to use were "blacking" when referring to overtime."Beaning" which was unofficially riding in pairs.Four pennorth of lag from Lou's was a mash can full of tea from the Empire Cafe which was usually an errand for Stan Day or Percy Mears the PHGs in charge of us.When I was a messo there were 45 of us in Nottingham City. John Balderson (Badge number 1001) Nottingham
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Post by themyth on Jun 25, 2013 3:55:07 GMT
John
Did you have a relative who lived in Nottingham in 1865 called Hill Balderson? I have an envelope sent from Auckland New Zealand on March 31, 1865 addressed to a Hill Balderson. Alfred Terrace Great Alfred Sterrt, Nottingham.
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