THE UK’S MOST SENIOR TELEGRAPH POLE APPRECIATOR?
As a young lad in the late 1920’s Ray’s interest in telegraph poles started very early, and he quickly realised that a career in the GPO would get him legitimately close to his new found passion, without the awkward questions.
So, only two days after his 18th birthday on February 19th 1940 Ray joined the GPO, working at the Doncaster Office, and after two years as a Youth Trainee he undertook fitting work in preparation for becoming a lineman. Unfortunately the British Army had other ideas and in 1943 he was posted to India and Burma to become a sergeant in the Royal Signals, providing communications for the 14th Army, hurtling around on his motorbike. At the end of the war he turned his attention to sorting out Indian Posts & Telegraphs in Calcutta, a very responsible job but with limited pole action.
With much anticipation Ray returned to the UK in 1946 to become a lineman in Retford and these were just the best of times. For 3 years he was up a pole every working day absolutely in his element, until in 1949 promotion brought him down and inside as he moved back to Doncaster working in the Repeater Station, specialising in long distance communications.
But his heart was up the pole… and he had a cunning plan. During his time as a lineman Ray had amassed quite a few ‘bits and pieces’ and was able to build his own pole in his shed, where many a happy hour was spent fulfilling his passion.
His final career move was into management in Danesgate House, Lincoln for a desk job, but of course he was still able to be ‘Weekend Linesman’. He finally retired on 25th March 1984 after over 44 years stalwart service, sadly also hanging up his safety belt for good…
Congratulations to Ray, who as our most senior member celebrates being 90 years young this Easter!!
Steve Clifton