Page 50 - Life in Langham 1914-1919
P. 50
Post Office Telegram
As well as the everyday mail passing through Langham post office there will
have been post cards and letters to, and from, local men serving in the forces.
The much dreaded telegram to say a husband or son was missing or killed in
action was also part of the service.
Emma Palmer of Charges to pay No.
Langham received a s. d. OFFICE OFFICE STAMP
telegram mid-June RECEIVED POST 17 JUN 17
TELEGRAM
1917. Her husband m Prefix. Time handed in Office of Origin and Service Instructions. Words m
William was wounded in From 21 LEICESTER 3.33 OHMS To
the battle of Bullecourt
on the 3rd May and
reported missing. Emma MRS E PALMER BRIDGE STREET LANGHAM RUTLAND
was not officially notified = DEEPLY REGRET TO INFORM YOU YOUR HUSBAND 40906
until March 1918 that he PTE WILLIAM PALMER HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING. LETTER
was now believed FOLLOWS = OC
Killed in Action.
For free repetition of doubtful words telephone “TELEGRAMS ENQUIRY” or call, with this form S or C
at office of delivery. Other enquiries should be accompanied by this form and, if possible, the envelope.
In 1915, a recruiting
campaign came to the village. William, with a large family to support hoped
that by joining up he would receive a better wage. At the age of thirty-five,
William was told that he would work in the cook-house and not be required to
fight. Emma was left with six sons to bring up alone.
Field Service Post Cards were
used for a quick message home;
there were three types, each with a
variety of pre-printed messages to be
chosen by the sender thus avoiding
censorship. The post card was
equivalent to a text, telephone call or
an email today.
Deliveries were made to Langham
at 6.50am and 2.45pm and
dispatches left Langham at 11.50am
and 7pm. A letter posted in Oakham
by 7am would reach Edinburgh for
the 8.30pm delivery on the same
day!
Sunday deliveries/dispatches were
just once a day.
