Newly uncovered scrapbooks have revealed the forgotten heroism of a postman and his colleagues who risked life and limb to keep the mail service working during the Blitz.
The old records were discovered in the archive of the British Postal Museum and Archive by assistant curator Vyki Sparkes during a recent audit of collections.
Further research revealed the full story of Frederick Gurr, a head postman who was close to retirement when he founded the Post Office Rescue and Salvage Squad.
The discovery has illuminated the lengths to which Mr Gurr's team went to retrieve post from boxes buried in rubble as well as cash and stamps from Post Office buildings. Incidents recorded included a mission at the Moorgate post office in December 1940 when the men tunnelled under 3,000 tons of girders.
In May 1941 Mr Gurr's bravery was recognised with the award of a British Empire Medal. He died in 1970 but his scrapbook is now on display until the end of this month in the free Treasures of the Archive exhibition at the British Postal Museum in Farringdon.
