I joined the GPO in February 1963 in the London N.W. Area as a 16 year old Y2YC and started my career at Hendon. My first appointment was on UG Construction with some rather hairy, very masculine men. When asked my name I of cause proudly replied Adrian to which their response was “OOH where’s your hand bag sweetie”.
I soldiered on through U.G. Maintenance, O.H. Construction, etc ignoring remarks like “with a name like Adrian you should have been a hairdresser, is your hobby ballet dancing? and backs to the wall lads here’s Adrian” until I went on to Sub’s Apps. Fitting. Here I was put with a fitter who kept addressing me a “Dave” despite me correcting him for weeks. He had just lost a friend called Dave and I think he did it just out of habit. I was now introduced as Dave and all around took the lead and the name just stuck. I went on to become a TOIT on Internal Construction and was lucky enough to get a transfer down to the Brighton Area in 1967.
On my first day I reported to Jim Leake at Eastbourne, he asked my name to which I replied “Adrian”. “What?” said Jim, “Adrian” I replied again “Who? said Jim” “Adrian” I replied again” “No I didn’t catch that” said Jim. “It’s Dave” I said resignedly. “Welcome to Eastbourne Construction Dave” said Jim and that was that till I retired in December 1994.
Now I am a civilian again I am pleased to have lost my alter ego and I am now known once again by the name I was christened, Adrian shortened to Ade.
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