Telegraphist's 'IF'

Dedicated to the memory of Tel. Leo Fitzpatrick R.N. (JX 580093) of Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland.

Leo’s record papers show he signed on at 18 years of age as an Ordinary Telegraphist -Until the end of the period of the present emergency (Volunteer)-
Leo served his training in HMS Royal Arthur, aka Butlins Holiday Camp at Skegness in Lincolnshire, then served in Drake, Hannibal, St Angelo (HMS Providence, Algerine Class Minesweeper J 325 Former name HMCS Forrest Hill), Pembroke and finally Drake. Most of Leo’s service was spent in Algerine Class Minesweepers in the Mediterranean and later in the Far East in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Leo past on in 2001 but more recently a copy of the poem below was discovered amongst his papers. It maybe of interest, particularly to those who served as telegraphists;

The Telegraphist’s If-

If you can keep your nerves when all about you
Are stations jamming hard and blaming you,
If you can “Hold the Air” though others flout you,
Until you get your longest message through;
If you can send and not grow weary sending,
Nor overtire the man who has to read;
If your mistakes are rare but prompt their mending,
If you believe that haste is never speed.

If you can calmly contemplate the chatter
Of greenhorn operators fresh from school;
If you can sit with messages that matter
And wait until they’ve finished — and keep cool.
If you can read through half a dozen stations
The weaker signals that are meant for you
And pick ‘em out with few interrogations
Yet never feel ashamed to ask those few.

If you’re a Jack of all Trades, tinker, tailor,
If there is scarce a thing you cannot do,
If you’re an electrician and a sailor
Telegrapher, accountant, lawyer too:
If you’re propelled by energy that’s tireless,
If you don’t fear a job that’s never done,
Then, take my word, you’re fit to work at wireless
And anything you get, you’ll EARN, my son.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.