BILLY HONOURS POST OF CHRISTMAS PAST.Byline: By RAYMOND HAINEY A HERO postie postie Noun Scot, Austral & NZ informal a postman who died delivering letters in a blizzard will today be honoured with a special church service. Robert Cunningham Robert Cunningham (1837-1905) was a British-Canadian lay missionary turned entrepreneur who founded the town of Port Essington, British Columbia. He was born January 1, 1837, in Dungannon, Northern Ireland (one source, Large, says "Tullyvally, Ireland"), to a Protestant , 27, perished after doing his mail run 100 years ago. He was trying to find his way home in a snowstorm near the Ayrshire village of Ballantrae on December 28, 1908. But he froze to death on moorland moor·land n. Land consisting of moors. moorland Noun Brit an area of moor Noun 1. after the roads were blocked by heavy snow. Royal Mail postie Billy Martin, 44, from Girvan, whose run covers Ballantrae, will lead a tribute ceremony at the local parish church. Billy said: "The story of Robert Cunningham and his selfless devotion to duty is an inspiration to all the Royal Mail posties around this area. "His story is part of local history and legend and he deserves to be remembered not just here but across the country." Royal Mail officials also plan to lay a wreath at a memorial to Robert at the side of the A77 near Ballantrae, close to where his body was found. CAPTION(S): Special delivery: Billy lays a wreath at the grave of hero postie Robert |
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