Postie who started job when Beatles first topped charts retiring

Britain’s longest serving postman has finally handed in his notice – after delivering letters for 59 years.

James Hardbattle was applauded by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall for dedicating his life to serving his community in Hull back in 2016.

At a ceremony in London for Royal Mail’s 500th anniversary, the employee said he had no intention to hang up his postbag.

Aged 74, he was still out delivering in his van this week. It was only on Friday he announced his plans to retire, saying he realised it was ‘time I was going’.

James started work as a messenger in May 1963 – the same month the Beatles topped the singles chart for the first time.

Starting at the Post Office aged 15, he was soon trained how to ride the Bantam 125cc motorbike, which was iconic for its time.

Once he passed his tests, he was let loose on the roads to deliver telegrams and express letters.

James even had to sign the Official Secrets Act. In those days, the Royal Mail was part of the Civil Service, with high standards of discipline and dress expected.

When he turned 18, he had no choice but to become a postman at the town’s central sorting office, and he did his daily rounds for a brief time on foot.

He wore a smart uniform for this new position, dressing in blue cavalry twill trousers with red piping down the legs and a cap with a badge that had to be well polished.

And this habit has stuck, meaning he still polishes his boots every week.

‘You had to be smart and tidy,’ he recalled. ‘I wasn’t that long on foot as I got the chance to go on a van delivering. You had to be 19.

‘In the mid-70s I delivered round the Fruit Market, down Humber Street.’

What he loves most about his work, is being outside for most of the day and talking to the people of Hull on a daily basis.

‘I’ve always been happy in my job, it’s always been reasonably well paid,’ James said.

‘I’ve had a car from 19. Yes, I’ve had to do overtime, but hard work doesn’t kill anyone.’