Tribute to a fallen war hero

One of the privileges of my post office travels is having the opportunity to share the all too real experiences of affected communities first hand.

Slicing through the Government weasel-word spin of 'reinvention' and 'survival plan' I find out exactly what post office closures mean to the most vulnerable. It also enables me to meet some fabulous characters who offer inspiration with their great fighting spirit.

If only the axe-wielding pen pushers would occasionally step outside their Whitehall offices to breathe in a dose of reality the outlook for the network might not look so bleak.

Take, for example, a recent bus trip I made from the rural Essex village of Hullbridge with Betty Avery (see blog Perishing Post Office Quest). She showed how wretched it can be as a pensioner if your local branch closes by taking me on a 12-mile round trip to the next nearest branch.

Unfortunately, her campaigning husband Les, 85, had been too ill to join us but we shared memories of how the couple loved doing the walk together. Les was a World War Two veteran and fought in Burma in the 'Forgotten' Fourteenth Army - surely, his was a voice of protest that deserved to be heard.

Betty rang me last week to share her grief. Sadly, just two days after the article appeared, Les died.

Now Betty, who turned 80 a couple of weeks ago, must battle on alone and needs the support of her community and post office more than ever before. She is far from alone. An occupational hazard of life means that old age and potential loneliness is something most of us will face.

Les will not be forgotten by his community and his call for support is more important than ever as he now also speaks for those left behind. Save Our Post Offices.

- Toby Walne, Travels With Toby, Financial Mail on Sunday

>> Read the full post offices campaign