The Development of Telecoms - Portsmouth
Portsmouth – steeped in Naval tradition and known familiarly in the Senior Service as "Pompey" will bring back many recollections to those who served in the Navy during the two world wars.
The Royal Dockyard, known the world over, was visited on many occasions by Pepys v/hen Secretary to the Admiralty and he makes frequent reference to the town in his Diary. It was from here that Nelson sailed to Trafalgar and it is here that his Flag Ship is now high and dry in a graving dock – attacked by the death-watch beetle, a more dangerous enemy than any she met at sea.
The history of the city is not all of the past, nor is it entirely Naval; Field Marshal Montgomery was Garrison Commander here in 1938 and from Spithead and the Solent his armada sailed on "D" Day. In the world of literature, Portsmouth is represented by Charles Dickens who was born here in 1812, his birthplace is now a museum visited by many each summer, particularly Americans.
Although a small one geographically, the area opened in 1939, covers part of Hampshire and West Sussex and includes such beauty spots as Goodwood, the loveliest English race course and the Isle of Wight, well known to holiday makers. During the summer season the Solent and Spithead are the scene of great yachting activity culminating in Cowes week, known to yachtsmen internationally. Spithead, traditionally the scene of Naval Reviews, will this year (1953) see the Coronation Review, when the Fleet headed by HMS Vanguard, our largest battleship, will be inspected by Her Majesty. The scene will be a memorable one.
The area is 640 square miles; 44 auto exchanges – 20 manual; 39,700 exchange connections; 61,100 stations and 868 total staff.
