- Contributed by听
- onestopshop
- People in story:听
- John Hobbs
- Location of story:听
- Redcar, Yorkshire
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A2811845
- Contributed on:听
- 06 July 2004
At the time of D-Day I was a 14-year-old telegraph boy, and my job was to deliver priority telegrams. The dispatcher told us they were either notifications of death or persons missing in action. We were told not to hang about waiting for an answer, as the person who received the telegram would be most distressed.
There were three of us telegraph boys delivering telegrams, and we were as much upset as the people we delivered the telegrams to. Each of us had to deliver about 10 or 12 a day.
Before we delivered each telegram we were told by the dispatcher what the message was, so that we were prepared for the reaction of the recipient. Having to deliver the bad news was most upsetting to me and my two pals.
I remember going to one address in St Margaret鈥檚 Grove, Redcar to deliver a priority telegram. The lady was most upset and distressed and I felt really sorry for her. I just did not know how to deal with the situation at the time. Believe me, it made me think what war meant and how insane it all is. I do not wish to see my grandchildren have to go through the same experiences.
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