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Unlike the postmen on the Barnard Castle Post Office Roll of Honour who went to war Harold David Bainbridge served as a driver in the Army before becoming a postman and, subseqently, subpostmaster of Egglestone Post Office.
We have, on loan, two very fine documents. The first is entitled 'Army Life' by Harold Bainbridge. Edited by Steven Bainbridge it details Harold's memoirs in the motor trade prior to enlisting in the Army Service Corps serving in France and Belgium. The second relates to Eggleston sub post office run by the Redfearn / Bainbridge family for almost a century.
John Neasham's was previously owned by George & Jobling, Engineers & Coachbuilders of Newcastle, Darlington, Glasgow and Windermere. Entrance to the workshops was up the alleyway on the right. Harold Bainbridge was employed here, as an apprentice mechanic, after leaving school at 14 years.
Extracts from the first binder - 'Army Life' by Harold Bainbridge:
"I was born at The Arch House, Main Street, Cotherstone on 5th November 1891."
After 4 years as an apprentice at George & Joblings Garage he became a chauffeur / mechanic for Mr R Summerson of Barnard Castle for a further 4 years at which time World War One broke out. In January 1915 Harold volunteered for the Army as a car driver.
Driver, Mr H. Bainbridge
March 1915
'In Motor Driving Kit'
H. Bainbridge
A.S.C. (Army Service Corp)
Noted: In France, Army Orders -
'Not to shave the top lip'.
Cavallry
1st World War
France
Supplies, Motor and Horse Power
H.B. - W.W.1.
Driver H Bainbridge on the right with his 'mate'.
World War 1, 'Despatch Rider'.
'Model T' Ford
Noted: 'One of the also ran'.
Photo H.B. W.W.1.
Noted: To Hilda, (sister)
With love, Your loving brother - Harold.
W.W.1. photo includes; Driver - H. Bainbridge. Also, driver 'Rabbits' and electrian - Jack.
(Writing on the photo is in Harold's own hand.)
Driver, H. Bainbridge W.W.1.
H. Bainbridge (in retirement) ready for a Remembrance Day Service.
Extracts from the second 'postal' binder relating to Eggleston:
Postwoman Miss Elizabeth May Redfearn later to be Mrs H D Bainbridge sub-postmistress of Egglestone P.O.
Egglestone Shop and Post Office
(Mrs Redfearn appointed 6th August 1912)
This photo shows the newly installed wall box (with modern colour photo by Ronnie Walker alongside).
Mail arriving 12 March 1937 via Barnard Castle Post Van. Taken outside Eggleston Post Office with Postman Driver Wilf Robinson.
Detailed information on the post van has been supplied by Chris Hogan of the Post Office Vehicle Club:
Registration is BGF 354, serial number 5357, from a batch of 42 Morris Flatnose 70cf. mailvans BGF 334-75 new to the GPO in July 1934. BGF 354 lasted until January 1942 with Head Postmaster Darlington.
'The Mail Must Get Thru' to Egglestone'.
Another photo taken on 12 March 1937 - left to right;
John Bainbridge, Arthur Bainbridge, -?-, William (Bill) Addison - with shovel, postman Wilf Robinson and -?-.
This photo shows a track dug out to Egglestone Post Office (most likely) during the 1947/48 storm.
Here postman Harold Bainbridge is picture with 'Dolly' his horse during the 1947/48 storm when Egglestone was 'cut off' for 6 weeks before the road was opened by a bulldozer!
The Bainbridge family, with the aid of Dolly, kept the mail moving together with newspapers, bread and milk etc. via a single track, mostly at 'wall top' height, to Romaldkirk Post Office.
In 1960 Harold Bainbridge featured in the Northern Echo's John North column 'NORTH-EAST PEOPLE - Postmen of the Dales'.
"THESE ARE THE REAL SANTA CLAUSES OF THE DALES"
(article reproduced below).
Entitled 'Posting at Hill Top, Egglestone'.
Here the Bainbridge Landrover can be seen delivering to Neamour Lea Cottage with the 'Moorcock' in the distance. 1961/62 storm.
P.S. Is this the first use of 'Private Vehicles on Delivery'. Ed.
Again, another photo taken during the 1961/62 storm where the landrover came into its own.
Here, Mrs. Rhona Bainbridge, Harold's wife, is pictured with Mrs. 'Beccy' Machael, Romaldkirk postwoman 'doubling up on delivery'.
Early morning sorting mail in shop area. Here Auxiliary postman, Paul Fletcher, is pictured with sub postmaster Harold Bainbridge. Date ?
In 1991 Mr. H.D. Bainbridge of Eggleston Post Office received a 'certificate of excellence in the performance of agency transactions'.
Here he is pictured in front of the counter position with the certificate, daughter Christine and her friend Catherine Fletcher.
Sub postmaster of Eggleston with award.
March 1995 - Mr. H.D. Bainbridge receiving his Long Service, 35 year, Award from Bruce McNiven of Post Office Counters Limited.
After over 39 years service Mr. H. Bainbridge retires on July 8, 1999.
Depleted Shelves - 'The Final Fling' - Post Office Position, Eggleston.
Pictured subpostmistress Mrs. Jeanette Morrris with her daughter Elenor and H.D. and Mrs. Rhona Bainbridge.
Jeanette was appointed subpostmistress on September 27, 1999 following the retirement of her Dad. Alas, Elenor will not continue the succession of the Bainbridge family as the Eggleston Post Office finally closed its doors to the public on Thursday October 9. 2003 at 13:00 hours.
(was)
Some of the 'old shop documents', referred to in the Darlington & Stockton Times, are reproduced below.
Northern Echo - transfer of Agency - from Mr Walker (see page):
to Mr Redfearn on September 2, 1912.
Letter from Arthur Henderson, M.P. to John Redfearn May 31, 1912.
Letter from Herbert Samuel, His Majesty's Post Master General, General Post Office, London to Arthur Henderson, Esq., M.P. regarding the appointment of Mrs. Redfearn as subpostmistress Egglestone P.O.
Covering memo, dated August 6, 1912, from Arthur Henderson , M.P. to Mrs Redfearn congratulating her on being appointed subpostmistress.
Note: the House of Commons postmark - 10PM AU 6 12
Hand written envelope addressed to Mrs Redfearn, Sub Post Office, Egglestone, via Darlington.
Newspaper cutting of Mr and Mrs Harold Bainbridge celebrating their golden wedding.
The above newspaper cutting is of John North's 'NORTH-EAST PEOPLE - Postmen of the Dales' - column published in the Northern Echo in 1960.
Below - Harold Bainbridge at 90 as per the Teesdale Mercury in 1981.
Armistice Day portrait of Harold Bainbridge.
Village post office to close after 92 years
Byline: JIM McTAGGART
From the Northern Echo, first published Wednesday 22nd Oct 2003.
A VILLAGE post office has closed after 92 years of public service because nobody can be found to take over the duties.
The closure has left dozens of pensioners and young mothers unable to collect their weekly payments at Eggleston, near Barnard Castle.
The village's only shop, from which the postal service was run, has also closed after being owned by members of the Bainbridge family and their forebears for the past 124 years.
The last postmistress, Jeanette Morris, who took over four years ago from her father, David Bainbridge, said: "It is sad that local residents have lost these two amenities, but they were no longer really worthwhile.
"We could not compete with the large supermarkets on prices. We could not offer deals like 'buy-one-get-one-free' and could not blame people for going elsewhere for that sort of bargain."
The village has a population of about 400.
Post Office officials delivered leaflets in the community advertising for someone to take over the service, but received no response.
Residents now have to travel five miles to other offices in Barnard Castle, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Mickleton or Romaldkirk.
Councillor Colin Bainbridge, chairman of Eggleston Parish Council, said: "It is a casualty of modern times and is to the detriment of the rural population."
Mrs Morris said: "It is a pity that local people are being put to this inconvenience, but some have decided to have their money paid directly into banks."
Her mother, Rhona Bainbridge, was renowned for baking fruit cakes and selling them in the region. But that side of the business was sold to Farrah's, which transferred production to Harrogate.
David Bainbridge was village postmaster for 45 years after taking over from his mother, Elizabeth Redfearn, who took over from her mother.
He said: "When I was a lad 60 years ago there were three shops in the village. Now there is not enough demand for even one, or for a post office. It is a sign of changing times and we just have to accept it."
A Post Office spokesman said: "We are looking at all the options and would like to apologise to the customers affected.
