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'Postie out on a limb' by Mike Amos features below.
This insignia was issued to the old Northern Region controlled from Edinburgh. The red hand represents Northern Ireland, the white rose of Yorkshire, the red for Lancashire and the Scotish thistle.
The Lion Inn still exists being addressed as:-
Lion Inn
High Blakey
Kirbymoorside
YORK
YO62 7LQ
and is the highest point on the Blakey Ridge.
Mr Whitfield writes: "The pipe going up the pubs chimney is a pumped water supply to the header tank in the attic. Water is then provided to the bedrooms, kitchen etc."
Both the pub photo, together with the enlargement, was provided by Mr Don Whitfield of Hartlea Avenue, Darlington. His friend, Bob Bell of Leicester, bought the photos during Easter 1944.
BBC News - Following the news last week [w/e 11/10/2009] that Royal Mail workers have voted three-to-one in favour of national strike action, I thought I'd dig through the archive ... To view click on the following link:-
Awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for valour in the First World War, Sergeant Alfred Knight has had a road named after him in Birmingham.
Property developer Crest Nicholson paid the local hero a tribute by naming the first road at Park Central in his honour. Sergeant Knight’s VC is in The British Postal Museum & Archive collection. It was the only one awarded to a Post Office Rifleman and was displayed at the road naming ceremony.
Royal Mail marked the 150th anniversary of the VC with a new stamp issue in September 2006.
'Alfred Knight Way' at Park Central in Birmingham was officially declared open at 10.30am on November 9, 2006. Immediate family members, including four of his six surviving grandchildren, were at the naming ceremony. The British Legion held a ceremonial march including standard bearers and a bugler. This was followed by a short service and two minute silence at 11.00am in memory of all fallen soldiers.
More details on Sergeant Knight VC of the Post Office Rifles can be found on the British Postal Museum & Archive by clicking
Born in the Ladywood area of Birmingham in 1888, Sergeant Alfred Knight joined the 2nd 8th London Regiment – known as the Post Office Rifles – on October 26, 1914. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in December 1917 by King George V for his exceptional bravery during the historic assault at Ypres that year.
On September 20, 1917, Sergeant Knight had showed “most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the operations against the enemy positions” (as reported in the London Gazette, the government publication which officially records all awards of the Victoria Cross). During the Battle for Wurst Farm Ridge, Ypres, he single-handedly captured an enemy position by rushing a German Machine gun position and bayoneting two of the men who were operating it.
He stayed in the army after the Armistice and was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters. Following this he worked in York and Leeds before returning to Birmingham in 1941. When he retired in 1951 he was Senior Wages Inspector in the Midland Region of the Ministry of Labour.
In the 1951 Birthday Honours List he was awarded the MBE.
By 1942 the GPO had lost a third of its work force to active service, 15% in the first week of the war. Women were recruited to fill the gaps, help came from the forces and even schoolchildren lent a hand over the Christmas period.
Working in blackout conditions, often in temporary buildings, staff worked and risked their lives to keep services going. It fell to many of the new women staff to keep the telephone exchanges (often sited at the tops of buildings) running during the blitz. Postmen collected mail from pillar boxes buried in rubble as nearby bombs were being defused.
Staff carried on their war effort after hours, with 50,000 postal workers entering the Home Guard all over the British Isles. Their main responsibility was to defend the telephone and telegraph systems in the event of an invasion.
Staff were required to keep a stiff upper lip:
'All members of the staff must know that it is their duty to STAND FIRM and to CARRY ON with their normal vocations along with the rest of the civilian population, unless they are definitely instructed to the contrary.'
Instructions regarding what Post Office staff should do in the event of an invasion, July 1941.
Boy Messengers Camp taken next to the River Tees at Low Coniscliffe 1910 - 1911. Eddie Cole is pictured, without a uniform, behind the table.
This pre war photo of Inspectorate was taken in the Head Post Office Yard, Crown Street, Darlington.
Front row: Tom Frith & Herbert Johnson.
Back row: Bill Bateman (Senior), Harold Goldsbrough & Vic Fawcett, Head Postman.
Vetrans enjoying a social gathering.
Far right front row Harold Goldsbrough.
The gentleman behind Jennie Bowes is Mr Sweet, Head Postmaster.
Safe Driving Awards early 1950's. Raymond AKA (Butch) Laidlaw is pictured (with specs) on the back row. Also taken Peter Way, Tony Atkinson, Ken Wright, 'Curly' Watson, George Bloomer & Vic Mallet.
Richard Plumb was also Project Controller for Post Office Property Holdings. He was instramental in providing the New Delivery Office for Barnard Castle on the Harmire Enterprise Park in 1998.
In 1921 the 8th Battalion, Post Office Rifles, was amalgamated with the ‘non-Post-Office’ 7th Battalion. This represented a change in the role of the Post Office Rifles. The move was seen by some as a dilution of the Battalion’s Post Office Identity. It was subsequently merged with a London Anti-Aircraft battalion in 1935. It finds its successor today in the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC - of which Richard Plumb was a Captain).
The Royal Logistics Corps (RLC - successor to the Post Office Rifles) at work:
Suspect Package in the Post.
July, 20 2005.
Bomb alert hits hotel:
A full scale bomb alert was triggered at a hotel in Scarborough when a suspicious package was delivered.
The area around Scarborough Travel and Holiday Lodge, in Valley Road, was cordoned off and guests evacuated. Traffic in nearby streets came to a standstill as Scarborough police and a bomb squad from Catterick attended.
Peter Ward, manager of Scarborough Travel and Holiday Lodge, called police after he became suspicious of a package delivered by Royal Mail at lunchtime yesterday.
He said: "The package was in a white jiffy bag, about 15 in size. It was heavy for its size and addressed to someone called Immam. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck and needed to find out what was inside. I don't take risks, so I called the police."
At 4.30pm the bomb squad from the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) from Catterick Garrison arrived with police escort from Helmsley.
A female member of the squad put protective clothing on and entered the hotel to take X-rays of the package which was in reception.
Chief Inspector, Ken Gill, said: "There was something on the X-ray the bomb team weren't happy with and that is why it took so long to decide what to do.
"We managed to trace the sender of the package who confirmed to us that it was in fact a battery for a respirator used to remove asbestos. The Army disposal team were the only people who could tell us whether the package was safe or not.
"We are happy it wasn't a deliberate hoax and was sent as a genuine package."
Postal & Courier Services:
The Royal Engineers (Postal Section) was formed in 1913 from the Army Post Office Corps, this came about as a result of the connection between the Royal Engineers (Signal Service) and the General Post Office, which began with the nationalisation of the commercial telegraph companies in 1870. The postal services left the Royal Engineers in 1993 to join the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC).
Significant dates and events:
1795 - One penny postage concession granted to soldiers and sailors.
1799 - Henry Darlot of the General Post Office appointed Army Post Master for the Helder Expedition.
1868 - Lieutenant Colonel Du Plat Taylor raised 49th (later 24th) Middlesex Rifle Volunteers from General Post Office employees.
1877 - War Office Committee recommended the raising of a Postal Corps.
1882 - Army Post Office Corps raised from M Company 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, which sees active service in Egypt.
1913 - Army Post Office Corps forms the Royal Engineers (Postal Section) as a Special Reserve unit.
1917 - Members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) employed at the Base Army Post Offices in France until 1919.
1919 - Schedule airmail service inaugurated between Folkstone and Cologne to carry mail for troops serving in British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).
1919-29 - Army Courier Service operates in Europe.
1940 - Women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) take on postal duties at the Home Postal Depot. They remain with Postal until 1947.
1941 - Royal Engineers (Postal Section) introduces the Airgraph and Air Letter Form to speed the transit time of mail, the latter being the fore runner of the "bluey".
1943 - Airborne Postal unit formed to support 6 Airborne Division.
1952 - Women of the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) commence postal duties at the Home Postal Depot, Knightsbridge, London.
1953 - Royal Engineers (Postal Section) takes over responsible for the carriage of classified mail from the Royal Signals and is redesigned Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Communications).
1959 - Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Communications) become part of the regular cadre of the British Army.
1962 - Home Postal Depot moves to Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill and the Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Communications) take over responsibility for the Royal Navy's mail, thereby having a tri-Service responsibility.
1979 - Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Communications) redesignated Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Services)
1982 - Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Services) granted freedom of Barnet and The Queen visits the Postal & Courier Depot.
1992 - Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Services) becomes a Defence Agency and Postal & Courier trained operators of the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) are re-capbadged as Royal Engineers.
1993 - Royal Engineers (Postal & Courier Services) leaves the Corps to join the newly formed Royal Logistics Corps (RLC).
Information sheets:
History of Second World War Army Postal Services (1939-45)
Corps History Part 13 The Corps and Army Reforms (1902-1913)
Corps History Part 14 The Corps and the First World War
Corps History Part 16 The Corps and the Second World War
Campaign history 6th Airborne Divisional Engineers - D Day 1944.
www.remuseum.org.uk
A 1938 postman on his walk alongside the River Swale.
Taken from The Bar / Castle Hill - houses and the Green Bridge can be seen in the background.
Thanks to Ian Allan, Delivery Office Manager Leyburn, in locating where the picture was taken.
A 1938 postman walks down stairs that lead away from Richmond Castle, North Yorkshire. Part of the Castle wall remains is pictured in the background.
Bob Steer seen at Bank Top Station Darlington serving the last mail train 1M78 'Up' from Low Fell at 00:28 on June 5, 2003.
Of late Bob has conveyed mail to Barnard Castle Delivery Office.
Photos taken by Bob Sweet.
Interesting trivia:
FIRST MAIL DELIVERY
Pigeon post was used first by the Sumerians in 776BC.
The first royal mail was introduced by Henry VIII in 1516, when he appointed Sir Brian Tuke as his Master of the Posts. The service was for everyone, but the public was discouraged from using what was effectively the King's private service.
The Royal Mail, as we know it, was established in 1635 by Charles I, and the Royal Charter was granted in 1839.
Postcoding of all addresses in the UK was completed in 1974.
Hi Dave,
I forgot to show you the attached photo the other day. It is a sculpture sponsored by Royal Mail of a postie on his penny farthing made from metal, nuts and bolts. I found him outside the Royal Mail office in Pitlochry. You may have already seen it but I couldn't resist taking a photo.
Kind regards Mand.
1931 Morris Minor 30cf - the most numerous vehicle in Royal Mail's fleet at the time.
The 1930s Morris Minor 35cf 'Little Red' Rural Post mailvan.
1966 Morris Minor 'Moggy' mailvan.
[As a 'rookey' postman driver this was the first Royal Mail OMV I drove!
Dave.
P.S. I'll never forget the locking bar on the rear pair of doors!]
1980 Leyland EA345 240cf pictured with a 1981 150cf Sherpa in special silver postcode livery. Belonging to the North Eastern Postal Board, Leeds, they were based at the Darlington Head Post Office.
[At one time or other I got to drive these OMVs whilst being a postman driver at Darlo! Dave.]
The preceeding 4 pics are taken from the Post Office Vehicle Club's (POVC) book 'ROYAL MAIL - Trucks in Britain', series.
This fine hardback book is a photographic history of the mailvan in the United Kingdom from the late 19th Century through to its publication in 1995. Eighty pages including a colour section. Available at £13.95 (including postage and packing) from POVC Sales at: 124 Shenstone Avenue, Norton, STOURBRIDGE, West Midlands, DY8 3EJ. Please make cheques payable to the “Post Office Vehicle Club”.
SERVICE: Former post office employees and members of the RBL, from left, William Jordan, Arthur Cooper and Den Jones with John Chapman.
THIRTY Worcestershire post office workers who lost their lives during the two world wars were honoured at a solemn remembrance service in the city yesterday.
Staff from Royal Mail Worcester, the Claines branch of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Mail and BT Pensioners group all gathered at the city’s delivery office in Westbury Street to remember the employees who lost their lives during the first and second world wars.
The memorial to those who died was recently moved from the former post office building in Foregate Street following its closure, and relocated to the delivery office.
At yesterday’s ceremony the names of the fallen were read, a wreath was laid and the last post played.
John Chapman, mail centre delivery manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “We are delighted the tribute to fallen colleagues remains accessible to the public, and have made a commitment to hold an annual remembrance service here.
“It is a very important occasion for Royal Mail to acknowledge, and we are grateful to the Royal British Legion and the Royal Mail and BT Pensioners for their support.”
The Royal Mail’s commemorative 'Lest We Forget' stamps were also unveiled at the service, marking the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
The Last Post being sounded by Bugler Major Jim Baxter, formerley of the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI), at the dedication of a new Peace memorial at St. Clare's Church, Newton Aycliffe.
The 'new scheme', referred to above, is two posties sharing a van to cover two walks there-by negating the need for conveyance, replenishment etc. Greater efficiencies are also obtained by the van going 'once over the ground' delivering packets etc. that a postie, on foot, cannot carry.
Once the trial is finished / implemented at Durham Delivery Office it is estimated that several thousand additional vans will be required nationally (good news for Vauxhall!).
Memorial for 'selfless' postman
Tributes have been paid to a postman who died in a blizzard while delivering mail 100 years ago.
Robert Cunningham died at the age of 27 after being forced to take a detour across moors near the Ayrshire village of Ballantrae.
He froze to death alone just a short distance from his home.
A wreath will be laid on the moor to mark the 100th anniversary of his death and a service will be held at Ballantrae Parish Church.
Postman Billy Martin will join local residents in paying tribute.
He said: "The story of Robert Cunningham and his selfless devotion to duty is an inspiration to me and all the Royal Mail posties around this area.
"His story is part of local history and legend and he deserves to be remembered across the country."
Andrew Wood, the Royal Mail's area manager for the west of Scotland, said: "Robert Cunningham's story is a poignant reminder of the terrific sense of duty that is an integral part of Royal Mail history."
Postman who died making his deliveries in a blizzard is remembered 100 years on
Church ceremony and wreath-laying to mark death on Ayrshire moor
By Bridget Morris – Sunday Herald, Glasgow.
ON A cold and lonely moor near the remote Ayrshire village of Ballantrae, Royal Mail postman Billy Martin yesterday laid a wreath and paid quiet tribute to a fellow postman who gave his life 100 years ago while bravely doing his duty.
In a blizzard on December 28, 1908 Robert Cunningham died whilst delivering the post to the rural hamlets and farmhouses in the braes surrounding his Ballantrae home.
A century later, Billy, 44, from Girvan, who delivers the mail in the same area, laid a wreath at the memorial where his heroic predecessor perished.
At just 27 years old, Cunningham had already given 10 years' service as the local postie, and not once had he failed to deliver the mail that was then the only means of communication in isolated communities.
On that day 100 years ago he wasn't about to let a heavy overnight snowfall, or the threat of further wintery conditions, prevent him from discharging his duty.
It was on his journey home after successfully delivering the post, while taking a detour across the moor because the snow had blocked the usual road, that a blizzard overtook him. Cunningham froze to death alone on the moor, just a short distance from the safety of home.
Reports at the time said: "Weather conditions outside the sheltered glen were terrible, and when Robert did arrive home his brother Matthew and two friends set off to meet him.
"Failing to find him, and almost exhausted, they were sure he must have remained at one of the hospitable houses on his route, and returned home.
"The fact that he was missing became certain on the Wednesday and a search was organised. His body was found on the Thursday afternoon, lying on his empty mail sack and covered by the snow."
Today, to mark the 100th anniversary of Cunningham's sacrifice, Royal Mail posties will join with local people to pay tribute to his bravery in a ceremony at Ballantrae parish church.
Billy Martin said: "It is an honour for all the postmen and postwomen in this area to follow in the footsteps of such a brave and heroic postman. The story of Robert Cunningham and his selfless devotion to duty really is an inspiration to me and to all the Royal Mail posties around this area. His story is part of local history and legend and he deserves to be remembered not just here, but across the whole country."
Area General manager for the West of Scotland, said: Mail Royal Wood, Andrew "Robert Cunningham's story is a poignant reminder of the terrific sense of duty that is an integral part of Royal Mail history and that our people still feel strongly. His sacrifice is a great reminder to us today of the great public service we provide, and it is with an enormous sense of pride that we mark the 100th anniversary of this brave postman's death."
John McIlwraith, the session clerk at Ballantrae parish church, who will lead prayers today at the memorial, said: "The story of Robert Cunningham is a proud part of our local history. His actions are still remembered by people in the local community and held up as a great example of community spirit and sacrifice. We are very proud to mark this anniversary of a true local hero."
Bravery award for TA postie:
Iain MacDonald - 'Sergeant Mac'.
IT ISN’T every day a postie is fired on by a deadly Taliban rocket, but Iain MacDonald is no ordinary Royal Mail employee.
Mr MacDonald has spent the past 12 years in the Territorial Army and has completed tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the latter as a front line soldier.
The 38-year-old has just won the Scottish section of the Royal Mail’s 2009 1st Class People Awards for the outstanding bravery he showed in Afghanistan last year.
Posted to Helmand province, Iain was struck in the chest by shrapnel from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) when the base he was guarding came under attack.
Just 10 days later Sergeant Mac, as he is known to his mates, was back on the front line with his colleagues from the Parachute Regiment.
The modest postie, who lives in Burntisland, told The Courier yesterday he was just relieved to be back in one piece.
But he admitted it was nice to get the recognition.
Mr MacDonald said, “It was hair-raising, to say the least.
“As soon as you stepped outside the gate you knew anything could happen.”
For the men of 2 Para, and their colleagues from the TA, coming under fire was not unusual, as Mr MacDonald revealed.
“It was a regular occurrence when you were out on patrol,” he added.
“Either you would come under contact, or nothing would happen, but you were very well aware that anything could happen.”
Oddly enough, it was while he was on guard duty at forward operating base Gibraltar that he was injured.
“I was guard commander of the base at the time and had just cut across the open ground inside the base,” he said.
Moments later a rocket propelled grenade hit the compound just metres from where he was standing.
“It might seem daft but I saw the thing coming and the next minute I heard the explosion and I was lying on my back,” he added.
“It was the first one to my memory that landed in the base.
“They had tried it before but were landing short or going over the top but this time they got lucky.”
He and four other soldiers were wounded.
He revealed he joined the TA after he gave up playing football and was bored sitting at home.
Based with one of the TA’s units in Edinburgh, the postie said there was no suggestion when he joined he might end up in Iraq or Afghanistan.
His biggest worry when told he was going to Helmand was for his loved ones, including his wife Sharon and their sons Sam (12) and Callum (7).
“She’s extremely happy to have me home in one piece and also that I’m getting some recognition from the Royal Mail,” he said.
“I was really happy just to have been nominated, but to have won the Scottish prize is fantastic.
“I really enjoy the work I do with the Territorial Army and just did what any of my colleagues would have done under the same circumstances.”
Lieutenant Frazer Smith, Iain’s platoon commander, said, “Daily ambushes and intense firefights at close quarters with Taliban insurgents were the daily rhythm of life for Sergeant MacDonald and his fellow paratroopers.
“It pushed every man to his limit.”
Lt Smith insisted the Royal Mail award was richly deserved.
“Iain is approachable, pragmatic, reliable and determined,” he added.
“Sgt Mac gets on with the job. I think he displayed that whilst fighting in Afghanistan. Just over a week after being injured, he was back with his comrades.”
Ian McKay, director of Scottish affairs with the Royal Mail, said, “Iain is a worthy winner of this award.”
Mr McKay said the awards were established to recognise the acts of bravery, generosity and selflessness displayed by postmen and women.
Iain, who received a cheque as one of three Scottish winners, will now travel to London for the UK finals on March 30.
---
This 'Sptting Image' of Peter Campbell's retirement appeared in the Northern Echo on Saturday July 4, 2009.
[Ed: Although Staindrop is technically in Teesdale District it, having a DL2 postcode, is delivered from Darlington.]
Royal Mail vans go green for trial:
The two following photos were taken by Chris Hogan, Hon Sec PO Vehicle Club.
Mick Kilvington recalls memories of his late father George:-
UP to his oxters, or whatever the North Riding equivalent, there’s a similar story from Mick Kilvington – his late father a country postman at Gilling East, near Helmsley. [YO62]
Mick recalls a particularly severe winter in the late Fifties, drifts 12ft deep and the village cut off for days.
“It was like Christmas Day when finally they got bread and other essentials though to Gilling East, but still they had to be carried to the outlying farms and hamlets.”
Thereafter, it might have been subtitled Carry On, Postman. “We had a wooden Norwegian-type sledge, great big job. There wasn’t a nail in it, just held together with leather thongs.
Fantastic thing, it was.
“I remember one time I went out with him and my father fell off a wall.
I thought we’d lost him, the snow was so deep. The response when we finally got through was amazing.”
Mick, now a taxi driver in Richmond, also played Minor Counties cricket for Dorset – once bagging all ten Cornwall wickets for just 26 runs in 16.2 overs. He recalls that there’d be Christmas Day deliveries, too.
[Ed. My grandad had three deliveries on Christmas morning before sitting down to his turkey roast!]
“By the time he got a van I’d go along to drive him home, even though I wasn’t old enough. There wasn’t a call where there wasn’t a good drink waiting for him.”
The mail order may have changed, of course, the postmen of a different stamp. Mick’s reaction may embrace pre-war Bowes, too. “Can you imagine,” he muses, “a postman doing any of that today?”
This Gadfly article featured alongside Bowes Postman Matt in the Northern Echo of Wednesday November 4, 2009.
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[* Ed: As Delivery Planning Manager, Darlington, I worked to Paul Jobling when he was promoted to the Delivery Area Manager, serving the DL postcodes.]
Mike Amos' Gadfly column of November 11, 2009:-
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* This image is taken from the top of this webpage.
Mike Amos' Gadfly column of November 18, 2009:-
MAIL STORM:
A flooded box being cleared at Cockermouth - Nov. 2009.
