Against the backdrop of the Second World War, with the skies over Southampton frequently pierced by the terrifying wail of air raid sirens, a young woman of notably small stature embarked on a significant role.
Standing at just four feet ten inches tall, Olive Wheeler faced what could certainly be described as a "tall order" when, in 1940, she accepted the position of Southampton's very first postwoman.
The city was a strategic target, enduring relentless bombing raids during the Blitz, and Olive, then a mere eighteen years old, found herself navigating this perilous urban landscape.
Her crucial mission was ensuring the mail reached its destination, a task that demanded courage as she often had to dodge falling bombs to maintain the vital lines of communication.
Olive Taylor, as she became known later in life, was a lifelong resident of Southampton.
Their home stood perilously close to the Thornycroft shipyard, a major target for enemy bombers.
One day she returned home to a scene of destruction; a massive wooden beam, dislodged by a nearby bomb explosion at Thornycroft's, had been violently propelled through her bedroom wall, landing directly onto her bed.
Had she been in her room at that moment, her story would have ended there, and she certainly wouldn’t have gone down in history as the city’s first postwoman.
Her working life began early, leaving school at the tender age of 14 to enter domestic service.
She found employment assisting two retired school teachers with housekeeping at their residence on Millbrook Road.
However, the advent of war changed everything.
Olive explained that upon reaching the age of eighteen, young women were required by law to register for national service, with options typically involving factory war work or joining the armed forces.
Initially, Olive secured a position at Pirelli's, the well-known cable manufacturers situated on Western Esplanade.
This role, however, was tragically cut short by the destructive impact of the Blitz on the town's infrastructure and industry.
Seeking further employment, she heard that the main Post Office in the High Street was recruiting women for temporary sorting duties in the busy run-up to Christmas.
A pivotal event occurred when this temporary job concluded.
The workers were instructed to collect their final wages on Boxing Day afternoon.
Upon receiving her pay packet, Olive discovered she had been given ten shillings (the equivalent of 50 pence) too much.
She attributed this error to two brand-new banknotes having stuck together.
Driven by honesty, she returned to the Post Office the following day to give back the excess money.
Olive recalled that the Post Office officials were remarkably impressed by her integrity.
They inquired if there was anything they could do for her as a gesture of thanks.
Seizing the opportunity, she straightforwardly expressed her desire for a job.
It was this act of returning the overpaid wages that directly led to her pioneering appointment as Southampton’s first postwoman.
The role came with a standard-issue, thick serge uniform, which included a large hat and a cape for protection against the elements.
She was even offered a pair of sturdy boots, though these dated back to the First World War.
Given her small shoe size – just a two-and-a-half – Olive didn't think accepting the antique footwear was a particularly good idea and found her own.
Essential for navigating the wartime blackout, she was also equipped with a small lamp.
This device clipped onto the strap of her mailbag and featured a specially designed hood over the light. This clever design allowed her to illuminate addresses on letters while preventing the light from being visible from above, adhering strictly to the blackout regulations designed to protect the town from aerial bombardment.
Even after more than six decades, Olive retained a clear memory of the streets comprising her delivery rounds in the Shirley and Woolston areas.
Her demanding workday commenced bright and early each morning at 6am.
She felt the constant need for caution as delivering the mail often coincided with active air raids. Navigating the streets required immense care, watching her step amid potential debris and the ever-present danger of falling bombs in the darkened town.
