![]() The LPS was very formal and official and all male staff. The tutor came from the telephone business and considered that the prospects on that side were very much better and suggested a couple of positions that might interest me. The postal business was very seriously seniority based and waiting for dead men’s shoes. Apart from undergoing in house training, I was sent on a three week instructors training course at another GPO training establishment, The tutor was discussing promotion prospects with me. ![]() You could re-apply for a further term but 12 months had to be spent back at your office. On completion of your term you would return to your normal office, reverting to your previous grade. There was a training and trial period of three months. In due course I applied for the Instructors position and was successful on the second attempt.ġ965 Instructor Temporary Assistant Inspector, London Postal School Shift work, weekends, bank holidays e.t.c. ![]() I would be returning to the sorting office. The Instructors were on a temporary promotion at a higher grade than I would be. I was recommended for training and attended a two week course at the London Postal School (LPS). This was semi managerial work with responsibility for secure mails, monies and on occasion staff. To increase my earning without having to perform overtime pay about £12.00 per week, I applied for promotion to Postman Higher Grade (PHG). It was a good time, male dominated and a lot of comradeship. I worked as a Postman/ Driver for just over 5 years. The GPO trained and tested its own drivers. Soon after re-commencing my Postman’s duties I applied for driving. I often wonder if I had been allocated some other role in the army, would I have gone back to postal! I was discharged in January 1958 to return to my Postman’s job at Wembley. After basic training I was posted to the Home Postal Depot in London for postal training, which was much more in depth that I had received from the GPO. I was conscripted into the Royal Engineers (RE’s). It was a friendly environment and if a person was struggling to get their delivery prepared, others would help out. I carried out a range of duties and shifts for the next six months. At this age I also transferred into the Sorting Office as a Postman and received basic training on sorting and preparing mail for delivery. There were no guarantees that you would get your choice, in fact it was more than likely that you would end up in some other role. I opted for Postal Worker, Fire Fighter or Driver. We were asked about our preferences for which service, regiment or trade / skill we would like to serve in. The law required that all youths of eighteen register for National Service (Conscription into the Armed Forces.) A medical followed and an interview. We had to clean our leather and brass buckled belt and pouch and be inspected by the Sorting Office Inspector every morning re general appearance. I started my new career in June 1953 aged 16. In due course I was offer a position as a Young Postman (Telegram Boy) at Wembley approximately 8 miles from my home. I was called for an interview, given a basic intelligence test and referred for a medical. I talked to him about his job and decided to apply to the local Head Post Office regarding vacancies. He used to pop home on his GPO motorbike. Living near to me was a lad who was employed as a Post Office Telegram Boy. The second when I obtained a new job which was the start of my real working life. ![]() The first ended due to shortage of work and lack of revenue. In the first year of leaving school, I had two jobs both referrals from the YEO, neither had much future and each lasted six months. School leavers had the opportunity of visiting the Youth Employment office (YEO) (Part of the Employment Exchange, Ministry of Labour) To discuss suitable employment opportunities. Or perhaps some form of apprenticeship or a dead end job. Destined to follow my father into his workplace, an engineering factory. I had a basic education and left school in 1952 at the age of 15, without any examination qualifications. The Post Office (1950s-1990) Location : EnglandĪlan gave us this description of his working life at the Post Office and in telecommunications.
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