WWI REMEMBERED Messenger boy’s tale inspires play about life during First World War

BOB Terrell told the story of his father John – delivering telegrams and parcels. It has inspired artistic director Stuart Bawler to pen a new play called The Last Post about a post boy too young to sign up.

The work will use both real and fictitious letters to bring to life the joys and heartaches of this pivotal time in history.

As part of the play’s promotion, Valleys-based community organisation Head4Arts has been touring locations including Merthyr Tydfil and Blackwood in a replica First World War “bunker” to help in writing the play’s precise story.

Filled with artefacts and information, the mobile bunker has visited towns across the eastern valleys, encouraging people to talk about their families’ experience during the war.

Mr Bawler said: “The idea is to invite people to help us devise the story and create the characters through attending workshops taking place throughout June.”

Members of the Head4Art’s team have been on hand at the bunker to tell people how they can get involved, and many of the roadshow locations have also featured an accompanying exhibition at a local venue – the result of previous World War One-themed community projects developed by Head4Arts.

Head4Arts manager Kate Strudwick said: “People don’t need to have any previous experience of doing a play. There are lots of different ways that you can join in. For example, we’re looking for people who can sing some of the well-known songs, and people to gather costumes and make props. So, you can get involved as an individual or as a group.”

She said the play will include a cast ranging in age from five to 92, and added: “The play is quite unusual. We’re trying to include as many people as possible, and there is a part for everyone.

“In terms of the plot, and without giving too much away, it will be a giant jigsaw puzzle that comes together. A core story, but also other scenes that enhance the story and give aspects of life during the war.

“We wanted to examine the conflict from the aspect of people who lived through it, and the story of Bob’s father was one that appealed to the director. It’s got a good thread running through it, and is a nice touch and seemed like a good way of telling the stories. His experiences as a messenger must have been intriguing, having to deliver telegrams to people who had been bereaved during the war, then finally him deciding he wanted to join the Army.”

Mr Terrell, 92, from Deri, near Bargoed, will take on the role of the post boy’s grandfather.

The great grandfather of four, a retired drama teacher, described his father’s fascinating journey, and said he was delighted John could contribute to the play “even though he’s been dead for years”.

Born in London’s East End, John left school at 14, wanting to sign up, but was too young.

Mr Terrell explained: “He worked in the London docks. They delivered quite a lot of telegrams to ships. If the sailors had just come into port and were pretty merry, he always got a good tip from them – tips were always important.

“He didn’t speak a lot about his experiences as a mail boy until he was about 70, but told me he enjoyed that part of his life. He did used to say messenger boys made good soldiers because they were so used to wearing boots and walking long distances.”

When the post boy turned 18 he joined the RAF.

Mr Terrell said that when John’s brother-in-law heard the news, he called him a “bloody little fool”.

Starting his military career at Blackheath Barracks in London in November 1915, he was shipped abroad aged 19.

In November 1916 the superstition that if three soldiers lit their cigarettes from the same match, one of them would be killed, or the man on the third match would be shot, came to life. Being the third one to light a cigarette while at camp in France, snipers actually shot at John, hitting his Oxo tin, which had been in his pocket. He was then shot in the backside.

Mr Terrell explained: “I don’t think he felt much. He told me it sounded just as if you had one of those very large tomatoes and had thrown it against the wall – an unusual analogy.

“Being shot on the buttocks is probably one of the safest places; the main danger would have been infection. He was in hospital, but only for three or four weeks.”

John then rejoined the forces until he was severely injured in the 1917 Battle of Messines, and “lucky to survive”.

Mr Terrell said: “He was buried in the trench and had to dig himself out with two smashed arms.”

After that, John did not return to the front line and spent 40 years serving with the Post Office.

Bob said: “Even in his 70s, he always remembered his comrades who died in that war.

“He had seen his friends just massacred, and there were many he never forgot. To have something like that happen at such a young impression-