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Postman Gets Medal for Service
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Cyril
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WITH the award of the Imperial Service Medal to Mr. Cyril Percival, aged 60, of Rushden, the King has recognised his services as a postman for 35 years.
The story begins in 1912 at Irchester, where, at the age of 25, Mr. Percival commenced work with the Post Office at 13s 1d a week.
With the outbreak of the Great War, he joined the Army, and for 3½ years served successively with the Beds and Herts Regt, the Surrey Yeomanry, the 12th Lancers, East Riding Yeomanry, and an Area Employment Company.
In the meantime Mrs. Percival (formerly Miss Eliza Jane Gore), whom he married the same year as he started work with the Post Office, carried on his work for 11s per week. On release from the Army, Mr. Percival came to Rushden as a postman and stayed until his retirement last May.
Long Rounds
In these early days neither the Rushden Newton-road or Irchester-road estates were developed, but the "rounds" were larger than they are to-day.
In his retirement, Mr. Percival still makes his own shoes. He formerly did "outside" work for Messrs. B. Denton and Co., in order to make up his small pay packet. He estimates that he made about 14s.—15s. a week in this way.
He has, for many years, been a keen bowler and member of the Swanspool Club, and is the holder of several medals.
Mr. and Mrs. Percival have two daughters and one son—Mrs. J. Stokes, Higham Ferrers, Miss K. Percival and Mr. G. Percival.
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