Telegram_Messenger_Boys_Reunion

[Roger-Green]

I am now 80 years old (200 and was privileged to be a telegram messenger boy T51 in Aberdeen from 1942 – 1945 when I left the Post Office to join the Fleet Air Arm

Of the many telegrams I delivered and the recipients I met, the one that stands out the most prominent, and with a mixture of joy and sadness was the following, in late 1944 the Japanese Government agreed to release some of the most seriously wounded British Personnel held in captivity by the Japanese in the Far East

One dark October morning I was given a telegram to deliver to a lady living in Castlehill Barracks one of the most deprived and poverty stricken areas in Aberdeen
I went up the tenants stairs, found the address and was looking for a number at the door (in those days if you delivered a priority telegram it was always advisable to wait in case there was a reply )

A lady came to the door in her night dress opened the telegram and gave a loud painful and tearful cry, “My Mans coming Home” wait there young Laddie she said and disappeared, shortly afterwards came back and gave me two coins which I put straight in to my pocket , thanking her
When I looked later there were two half crowns , probably all the money she had in the house and certainly the biggest tip I ever had as a messenger boys

Bob Hunter

(Ex General Secretary Telephone Contract Officers Association)