Ex-postie loses leg

Two Stirling postal workers were involved in incidents shaped by the war.

Sgt David Murdoch, Cameron Highlanders, who had been serving in Salonica, was seriously ill and had lost one of his legs.

His mother, who lived at Abbey Road, Stirling, was awaiting news of his condition.

Sgt Murdoch was formerly employed as a postman in Stirling Post Office and had served with the A&SH.

After fighting with his battalion in France he returned to Britain to receive treatment for trench foot but after a period of home service he volunteered for Salonica and switched to the Cameron Highlanders.

The second incident involved Cambusbarron villager Mrs Willocks, who acted as postwoman between Stirling and Cairnoch Shooting Lodge in Carronbridge district.

According to the Observer, the road there was a “very rough one” and Mrs Willocks was cycling back to Stirling on a steep hill, south of Earlsburn, when the brakes of her machine gave way. She was thrown on to the roadway “with much force”.

Detective Sergeant Cowie, Stirling Burgh Police, was in the area fishing, heard her cries and went to her assistance.

She was able to walk to a shepherd’s cottage, where it was found her right forearm was injured and her hand cut.

Sgt Cowie placed the postie’s arm in splints and bandaged the hand and she was taken back to Cambusbarron by car. A later medical examination found she had suffered severe bruising but had no bones broken.

The Observer said: “The district is a very lonely one and it was fortunate that Sgt Cowie was within hearing distance when the accident occurred.”

Before the war women working for the Post Office were only allowed to sort letters.

However, in the four months after war was declared 28,000 men left their jobs in the Post Office to join the armed forces. Through necessity women were allowed to deliver the post as well.