ID: WW01_241 / Winifred Hone

TitleTurner Postmaster - 1919. Winifred Hone memoirs
AbstractMr Turner was the postmaster and his post office was in Yorick Road. He was a friendly man, when you went in for a stamp or to post a parcel he always found time for a nice friendly chat. One day I went to post a parcel and the door was locked. I just knocked and waited, I didn't even know that post offices had half closing days, he opened the door and to my utter amazement requested me to enter with the polite grace of a Victorian gentleman, making me feel extremely important, but not for long. He was what was known as red hot labour, he asked me rather angrily what right I had to try and deprive him of his rights and privilges, but he still took and posted my import parcel.

At least he showed some emotion. Nowadays when going into a post office your requests are received with solemnity and silence, a parcel is weighted, a receipt given without the flicker of an eyelid. The assistants must have feelings but during opening hours they haven't time to show them, so Mr Turner's Victorial elegance is something to look back on and remember in spite of a little embarrasement sometimes if he felt off colour.

Mr Turner's post office is now only a memory, in its place now stands the Bank of Barclay with an air of modern aloofment. Our postman is also an informative sort of man, usually telling you the message on a postcard he was about to deliver to you before doing so.

AuthorWinifred Hone
Publishedc1969
SourceMersea Museum / Wendy Brady
IDWW01_241
Related Images:
 West Mersea Post Office in Yorick Road, now Barclays Bank. Ashton Turner, postmaster. 
 Photograph by Cleghorn, Mersea Isle, September 1911.
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<p>Ashton Turner is seen here outside the Post Office in Yorick Road. The ladies are thought to be his second wife, Kitty née French, and her two sisters, Mildred and Nettie who worked at the Post Office. The first telephone exchange was installed at the rear of this building. The automatic exchange was built in Lower Kingsland Road and became operational in March 1967. Note the village pump on the right.
</p><p>Used in Isle of Mersea by Brian Jay photo no.86</p>  RUD_MIS_023
ImageID:   RUD_MIS_023
Title: West Mersea Post Office in Yorick Road, now Barclays Bank. Ashton Turner, postmaster.
Photograph by Cleghorn, Mersea Isle, September 1911.

Ashton Turner is seen here outside the Post Office in Yorick Road. The ladies are thought to be his second wife, Kitty née French, and her two sisters, Mildred and Nettie who worked at the Post Office. The first telephone exchange was installed at the rear of this building. The automatic exchange was built in Lower Kingsland Road and became operational in March 1967. Note the village pump on the right.

Used in "Isle of Mersea" by Brian Jay photo no.86

Date:September 1911.
Source:Mersea Museum / Peter Rudlin Collection