Police messenger role is one that is often overlooked.
Whilst all the auxiliary roles were important, and ensured policing continued during the war, the police messenger role is one that is often overlooked. It is hard to imagine the bravery required of a police messenger: how a boy of 16 with nothing but a tin helmet and a push bike, was expected to cycle around and take messages to officers on the ground or between stations or emergency services during air raids; with no street lighting as the black-out was in place, bombs dropping around him, people screaming, fires all over the places, telephone poles and other street furniture blown apart and causing hazards, to give but a brief description of the worst of their shifts.
In 1941 the first messengers were recruited. Officially called the Police Auxiliary Messenger Service, following completion of their training they would be attached to different stations and employed on communications. Around 12 full-time PAMS were recruited and 100s of voluntary messengers. They looked like miniature police officers – in white shirt and black tie, black trousers and tunic and a flat cap. They had a distinctive messenger shoulder flash.
The boys did basic admin work, manned the front desk to support station staff and of course transported messages between different stations and other locations, sometimes during air raids or the immediate aftermath, when military personnel required assistance locating addresses.
