大象传媒

VE Day, 1945, Beverley. Having been born in June 1929 I was, on VE Day, approaching my 16th birthday and into my second year as a Post Office Telegram Messenger. For days prior to VE Day, along with two colleagues, George Ringrose and Joe White, we had been busy delivering telegrams to next of kin of recently released POW鈥檚 as their camps were being liberated by the advancing Armies into Germany and Northern Italy.

On VE Day, just a normal day at the Post Office, we had lots of POW telegrams to deliver to expectant fathers, mothers, wives etc, so our day was a different and a very moving experience. In those days a 6d tip was exceptional. On that day larger silver coins, two shillings and half a crown, (10p and 12 1鈦�2 p) were common. I can recall going to one house in Sloe Lane and as you rode down the street women on the door steeps watched where you went, and immediately cheered and clapped at such great news. Of course there were no cars parked to clog the streets and streets were true neighbourhoods.

A few years ago my sister in law, a nurse in the Community Ward, was told a story by a very elderly lady of the joy of receiving such a telegram. She said she would like to meet the boy who delivered it. So I went along and made a lady happy, and yes, I got a kiss.

The normal working day fell apart and the sherry bottle and cake appeared. I seem to recall we closed early. The evening and late and late into the night was a celebration. The Market Place was the centre of attraction with dancing, even on the roof of the air raid shelter. Next morning Beverley was back to the daily routine.
The next occasion of POW releases happened in August with VJ Day.

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