John Gear
From Shetland History Online
File:Postalworkers.jpg
This picture is from the early 1920's and is of all the Post Office Staff. John Gear can be seen in the front row, third from the right, his face partially covered in shadow. Also in this photo is Provost Robert Blance, in the back row second from the right, Charles Manson, councillor, back row second from the left and William G. Smith, also a councillor, to the right of him.
John 'Johnnie' Gear (b. 28 May 1904, Lerwick, d. 8 March 1992, Aberdeen) was a Post Office clerk, telegraphist, Lerwick Town Councillor and Lerwick Up Helly-Aa Guizer Jarl in 1935.
Biography
John Gear was born in Lerwick and started work in the Post Office in 1918. Initially a telegraph messenger he later became a sorting clerk and telegraphist. In 1924 he was promoted to Orkney, becoming postmaster at Lyness, the office for Scapa Flow. His next move was to Gourock as postmaster, then to Thurso as heads postmaster and finally back to Orkney as head postmaster at Kirkwall. He retired in 1966.
