TELEPHONIST IN 1960S

I was a telephonist at the continental telephone exchange in Blackfriars, London in the 1960's. This was in the days before we could make direct calls to France, Germany etc. It was great fun and I remember using my schoolgirl French which did improve overtime with more use. Happy days!

I was a GPO telephonist at Brentwood, manual exchange from 1960-1968 the after moving I worked at Chelmsford, automatic exchange in the evenings. I can say it was the best job ever. I loved getting a full board of cords up. Loved the lights flashing especially on snowy mornings with loads of impatient callers trying to reach the operator. Just memories now , good ones, and reunions. Most of us have long gone now.

I trained as a GPO telephonist in 1969 at Bedford. I loved pulling the plugs in and out on the board but hated having to put my hand up for permission by the supervisor to use the toilet (and was timed). I signed the Official Secrets Act.

I trained as a GPO Telephonist in 1970 at the Wolverhampton Exchange.

I too remember the odd clocking in times ie 9.01 10.05 etc, if you were 1 minute late you were reprimanded. I only remember signing the official secrets act.

I wasn't keen on the fact you only had 2 weeks holiday and they told you which 2 weeks you had to take. If you didn't like it you could try and get someone to swap with you. I had the last 2 weeks in October allocated, no-one would swap! I left to go back to college.

I loved my 12 months as a GPO telephonist in 1969/70.
I was originally killing time until I was old enough to start nurse training but ended up having to make a difficult decision to leave which I did reluctantly.
It was in a busy West Midlands exchange and we were encouraged to modify our accents
Wages and conditions were good ie subsidised meals etc.
The shifts were a bit odd ie. 8am to 4.27 and 9.33 till 6pm.
All in all a site better conditions than the nurse training undertaken in the 1970's.
No regrets about a career in nursing (recently retired).
Oh, and I did have to sign the Official Secrets Act and felt very important.

Would a 999 call have been registered on a bill in Essex in the mid-80's ?