Safe Driving Awards

Certificates awarded by the Society for Prevention of Accidents for the year 1946 were recently presented to local Post Office drivers by the Head Postmaster (Mr. S. A. Talboys).

Mr. Talboys pointed out that the awards were not presented lightly by the Society but had to be hardly earned. Full enquiries were made in connection with every accident and if the driver was in any way blameworthy he was not eligible for an award. During the year in question the distance covered by the official vans was over 91,800 miles and although there were five accidents in no case was the Post Officer driver considered to be blameworthy. 

The Head Postmaster congratulated the drivers on their records and wished them many years of “accident free” driving. 

Mr. W. R. Harris (Assistant Postmaster), Mr. R.D. Whitefield (Overseer) and Mr. J. Bale (Assistant Inspector) also congratulated the drivers. 

The wards were as follows: Gold Medal, F. Butler, E.A. Colwill, R. A. Whittaker; Oak Leaf Bar to Gold Medal, W. H. Buse; Bar to Silver Medal, E.R. Hill; Silver Medal, S. R. Davies; Diplomas, W.F. Shortridge, W. H. Beer. The following drivers, who were serving in H.M. Forces, received a Certificate: J. Hearn, G. Nicholls, G. Vanstone, C. Wakeley, E. R. Butler.

Gazette article dated 11 November 1947