RedBikeBoys.co.uk

I have just found this site. I was a messenger in 1960 to 1963 in Dundee, I decided to try and get all of my ex messenger friends for a reunion 4 years ago. I managed to contact a number of them and we all had a great night recalling our youth, I have managed to keep in touch with them all and we have had 3 get togethers since. The next meet is in Frews bar 7pm. at Coldside in Dundee on the 16th March 2013. I would like to ask any one who was an ex telegram boy to come along you would all be made welcome ,all the best to you all.

Just found this site. I was a telegram boy at Hastings from December 1962 to 1967. Started to learn to ride the day after Boxing Day 1962 in the worst winter for years. I can remember the bikes, T4342, T5119 (my favourite), T5765, T5782, T5783 and T5797. There were various on loan bikes whilst ours were sent to Yeading for overhaul etc. August Bank Holiday Sunday sticks in my mind, the weekend of the Mods and Rockers at Hastings. The Mod scooters were faster than our Bantams and on that Sunday the Bantams were put away and the telegrams were delivered on my Triumph Speed Twin. Unfortunately someone reported the fact and I had to fill out another dreaded P18! Ex telegram boys will probably be familiar with that.

I still ride regularly and have two Triumph Tiger 90s from the 60s. its coming up to the 5oth anniversary of my telegram days, how I'd love to turn the clock back and do it all over again.

I've just found this site. Brings back good memorie. I rode my Bantam 125 from Bishop street P.O. 1965 - 66

Hi Guys,
I was aTelegram Boy in Belfast from 1963 to 1966 and loved it, do remember Fridays when the T.Mos arrived to be delivered ( telegram money orders) you always received a tip, for the delivery, sixpence or a shilling.....this was a much coveted duty.
Remember Christmas Day 1964, delivering Christmas telegrams and the bike broke down in the snow and i ad to wait in the freezing cold, for a van to come out and Pick me Up, a woman and a family took pity on me and brought me in, warmed me by the Fire and gave me a Christmas Dinner....who would do that to-day.

I eventually ended up as National U.K and Ireland Sales Manager for the Largest HealtcareCompany in the World....Johnson and Johnson and traveling all over the U.K and the States....
But still the best most enjoyable job was as a young Telegram Messenger....Priceless.

I started my working life as a telegram boy on August 4th 1976 at Acton sorting office Bollo lane and we rode Raleigh runabouts and then puch maxis we also had 2 BSA bantams but the took them away as were very unreliable.

Cliff

hi all you young telegram boys . i work at mornington cres nwdo 1958 1960 .pay was 2pounds 9shillings 6d it was like being in the army .But loved ever minute

Hi All, Just found this website. I was one of the Brent Boys in appx !963- 1965 just before they closed Brent and moved everyone to Golders Green and put them on mopeds. !!
The memory is not so good nowadays but I do remember Cliff, PHG. , Bodger and I think Eddie Sweet but may be wrong on last name. I have seen a posting from a Dave and wonder if he had a AJS Single. If I remember correctly my Badge was TS 132.
Bring back many happy memories and Yes I still ride motorbikes as long as my Hip will let me. to everyone who delivered Mergs. Happy riding
Bob

Hiya Guys

Telegram Boy 1960-62 at Tottenham, North London riding 125BXE
Just restoring a 64 ex GPO Bantam, going to scrape the leg shields and foot rests once again.
Must be something about red and uniforms, drove Routemasters thereafter, left when the one man buses came in. All very much happy days
Tally Ho
Ted

I was based in Edinburgh from 1969-1973 and have many fond memories and recollections. The Bantam, Pouring rain, Soaked through...Happy days!

Hi all ex telegram boys I was based at Slough GPO from 1976 to 79 and have many fond memories of those days fantastic job riding round berkshire and buckinghamshire on the red puch 50 mopeds great bunch of lads john teir steve formissano otherwise known as boris martin montgomery or monty for short mick eckit or wreckit as i used to call him dave porter mark ive bin there but dont know where it is harding so many great blokes and all held in check by buck butler wonderful days and to top it off got to meet lots of tv and radio stars as well wonder what your all doing now where have all those years gone.

I was one of the last Telegram boys back in the early 1980's. We had a great time back then, i was based at West Hill sorting office, Dartford, Kent. Hi to anyone who worked with me.

1 was a telegram boy on bantam 175 JGX 908K at forest gate E7 IN 1974

Very good days riding motor cycles and getting paid for it.

good burn ups with fellow boy down centre road.

Eric selwood was our guvonor

Hi Folks
I was a Junior Postman in the early 70s at Bournemouth Central PO, riding Raleigh Rustabouts, good old trusty Bantams and a bit later the Puch mopeds. Best ever job.....full training, tests paid for and riding all day in all weathers! I still ride today (though now a BMW).
I was at the Victorian Town just out Telford where they have a Post Office Museum......and in there on show is a "fully dressed" 175 PO Bantam......great memories!
Regards
Bill

I was a telegram boy in Leicester from 1961 to 1964 and my brother was one towards the end of the last war(Derek Swinfield),who has now sadly passed away.
I remember the time as being one of the happiest times of my working career and the lads I worked with where legend,I seemed so young then and when I started they all seemed so much older(although they were only a year or so older at the most!). The first year I had to spend on pushbikes and that was a hard year, upset the PHG at your peril(which I did on more than one occasion) and you could bet your boots that the next run was going to be miles, I must have cycled thousands of miles that year, I couldnt wait to have my m/c training(before we did that some of the younger lads would sneak rides on the m/cs up and down blackwells court when no one was around), I did mine with Dez Harvey(and where are you these days?) and spent a happy two weeks riding the bikes all over the place followed by the test on the second Friday and then we went on to the road and became(in our minds at least) proper telegram boys with red oil in our veins, happy days and I look back on them with very fond memories.
Any of the lads I worked with, by all means get in touch, it would be nice to chat about old times and all the "popping" that was done and the not so nice days like the winters Brrrr.
Mick Swinfield T932.

Hi Leicester boys,
I was a red bike boy at Finsbury Park BO in North london best job i ever had, i have decided for a bit of nostalga to try and buy a bantam. I have only just stumbled on this site nice to know there are others out there that enjoyed the messenger years as i did.

Regards
Dave Plumb

Hi I was a messenger in Bristol (small st) from 1973-75 great times and 30 years later my son worked in the same building after it had been changed into the main Crown Courts..Still got my metal red and brass badges and pay slip approx £7 per week inc sats
Anybody can contact me if they like
Regards
Colin Braddick

Hi Leicester grammy's

I was at telegram delivery from 1977 to 1979 and had a great time there.
I think most of us were motorcycle mad in those days and it was good outlet for getting out on a bike. Nothing better in the summer and probably nothing worse in the winter? Think some of us must have hypothermia in the snow at times. Wouldn't have missed doing it though.
There were loads of characters all with nicknames I remember....Steve Coley (Stan Cooney), Roman Bazcek (Bam Bam) , Muppet, Dickie Davis, Popey, Mick Sharpe (Daft Dog), Steve Bosden (Ugly), Phil Gaunt and loads of others. I won't tell you my nickname..too embarassing.
I remember Busty Goode and Tony Nelson who used to be in charge of us unruly youths...poor devils, they had the patience of saints.

If anyone remembers me, feel free to get in touch?
mick07ewert@hotmail.co.uk

Long time ago but have lots of good memories.

Mick Ewert (Leicester 14)

Hi All,

I was a Telegram boy from July 1971 until 1975 when I had to go to be a Postman. I did not want to do this, so I left. It was my very first job, and was based for the first two weeks at Mornington Crescent NW1, then went to Harlesden for 18 months, then finished up at Golders Green. They were really good days. If there is anyone out there who remembers me, then please get in touch.

Regards to all

Steve Leach
steveleach@hotmail.co.uk

Hi Everyone,
I was based at Mornington Crescent NWDO from 1975 - 1977. We used Puch Mopeds. The nickname for a new boy was "Chisel" I have no idea why that name was used. It was a very interesting area that we had to cover. Somers Town, Camden Town, Kentish Town, Hampstead and St. John's Wood. I remember on one occasion that we had a telegram for Hughie Green. He lived in a private flat above Baker Street Station. He was known to us telegram boys as a big show off, as he was always seen around the area expecting people to ask him for his autograph. Well me being a "Chisel" i drew the short straw to go to his flat and deliver him a greetings telegram. I rang the bell and when he answered i pretended that i did not recognise him. He was not impressed. I then continued as follows..." I have a telegram for a Mr HUGGI Green", he said "it's not HUGGI It's Hughie" "you must know who i am i host Oppertunity Knocks!" I said "Never heard of you mate!" He shut the door in my face! We all had a laugh when i got back and told the lads.

Gary Driscoll

Hi all,

I was at Ilford from 1958-60 what a time we all had going round and round the yard to get up enough speed to drive off the loading bay.
And oh! those M/C gloves they gave us ,your hand froze solid in winter you could not pull the clutch in.I left and joined the RAF.
Regards,
Barry.

I STARTED AT ASHDOWN RD KINGSTON. IN 1965. IN THOSE DAYS YOU STARTED ON PUSHBIKES AROUND THE KINGSTON AREA BEFORE BEING TRAINED ON MOTORBIKES. I WAS VERY GOOD AT GETTING INTO VARIOUS SCRAPES,INDEED THE ASSISSTANT HEAD POSTMASTER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN A RECORD LIKE IT!! THE P.H.G IN CHARGE WAS ALWAYS ADDRESSED AS CHIEF, THE FIRST ONE KEN WORSFOLD WAS A REAL GENT,NOT LIKE THE PERSON THAT FOLLOWED HIM. WE HAD A GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS THERE AND ENJOYED OURSELVES MOST OF THE TIME. BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE AREA WE COVERED WE MET MANY CELEBRITIES, NOTICIBLE HOW DIFFERENT SOME WERE TO THERE SCREEN IMAGE! WE WERE A LITTLE MAD ON THE BIKES,AND THE INEVITABLE HAPPENED TO ME ON THE HAMPTON COURT ROAD,ENTITLING ME TO FULL BOARD IN KINGSTON HOSPITAL. AS MOST OF MY WORKING LIFE HAS BEEN ON AMBULANCES ,I HAVE SINCE TAKEN MANY TO HOSPITAL MYSELF. I ENJOYED THOSE DAYS AND THE COMPANY,AND HOPE ALL MY FORMER WORKMATES HAVE HAD GOOD LIVES.

hello everyone! i was a tele gram boy in london 1964 1967,I started at camden town (1964) then moved to harlesden. From there i moved to Brent. After they closed brent i was moved to golders green where I finished my time as a tele gram boy. I moved out of choice to kilburn sorting office and was put on the walks!!! I still have a B.S.A reg 355 BXE and would love to get in touch with anyone who might remember me. please get in touch yharcombe@googlemail.com My name is dave harcombe you would remember me as i was only 5 ft tall!!

Hi Everyone,

I found your site by pure chance. I am restoring an old BSA Bantam GPO machine “FEL 888”. It isn’t just any machine to me. My late father Jack was a GPO telegram boy in the early 1950’s. When he left the service and moved on to other things his machine was assigned to other riders but he kept in touch, eventually bought it and stored it in the back of his garage untill he passed away in 2005. I inherited the machine and now am trying (?) to resurect its fortunes, not , to be honest because I am a fan of the Bantam but more to relive my dads youth on his behalf if that makes sense. “FEL 888” Is the VERY SAME bike he rode. One day I hope to ride it too with happy memories. Thought I would leave the post to say I had visited. John

hi - I was a gram boy in Ipswich in 1968/69/70 I liked it so much I still deliver telegrams now. I have 7 ex postie bikes - four 175cc - one 125cc - a puch and a raleigh. I also have the sixties uniform and the orginal telegrams. I go out and deliver telegrams and flowers and I get some funny looks but people love it. Go to my website: www.ipswichtelegrams.com to view my details.

I was at Slough 1958/9 and had the pleasure of riding an iconic red Bantam
MYF 739. Sadly no records of these bikes survive unless they are still running in preservation.
There is one on you tube (look under gpo bantam) GLE 861C.
Does anybody recognise this number or know where it was staioned?