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Special delivery: Postmaster takes telegram to US

Zhara Simpson
BBC News, South West
Luke Francis Emlyn Makofsky smiling at the camera wearing the postmaster's black hat. Luke Francis
Emlyn Makofsky celebrated her 100th birthday

A postmaster from Cornwall travelled more than 4,000 miles (6,437km) to hand-deliver a 100th birthday card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla to a family member.

Bude head postmaster Luke Francis flew to Florida to deliver the telegram to his great aunt Emlyn Makofsky.

He did so wearing his formal postman uniform and said it was "the furthest I've ever delivered anything".

Mrs Makofsky said "thank you" and started laughing when she removed the card from its envelope.

Luke Francis The family gathered around Emlyn Makofsky showing her the card from His Majesty the King. The card has a picture of King Charles and Queen Camilla on the front and Luke is stood behind Emlyn wearing his postmaster uniform. Luke Francis
Emlyn Makofsky celebrated her birthday with family and friends on 19 January

Mr Francis joined the post office aged 15 in 1995.

This was the second family member he has hand-delivered a 100th birthday telegram to, having done so on horseback for his grandmother in 2019.

"It was a special day... she thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a momentous occasion and it was a great privilege to do it for another member of my family," he said.

"There is longevity in the family. My Nanny's secret was sherry- but Aunty Emlyn doesn't drink, so I'm not quite sure what hers is."

Luke Francis The message inside the card which has the words 'We are so pleased to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday on 19th January, 2025. This brings our warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a special occasions.'Luke Francis
Luke Francis said it was a privilege to deliver the card to his great aunt

Mrs Makofsky was one of nine children and was born in Kilkhampton and grew up in Morwenstow, before becoming a nurse and moving to Newquay during the Second World War.

Mr Francis said: "She met her future husband, Uncle Chester, at a dance in the RAF camp at St Mawgan and, in July 1945, they got married in Newquay and had their reception in a restaurant.

"They then emigrated to America where she had her family. She did pop back to Britain for a few years and then returned to America.

"She has been there ever since."

Luke Francis A black and white photograph of a couple. Emlyn is on the left, wearing a hat, with Chester in uniform on the left. They are both smiling at the camera and she is holding on to his arm.Luke Francis
Emlyn Makofsky met her husband at a dance at the RAF camp at St Mawgan in 1945

He said over the years he had delivered several telegrams for 100th birthdays and diamond wedding anniversaries.

"It is always a happy occasion for the couple or individual and it is always a privilege to put on your number one uniform and make it an even more special occasion for them."

The day after her birthday, Mr Francis said he made Mrs Makofsky a Cornish pasty which she had been "longing" to have.

"It reminded her of the old days which she was over the moon about," he said.

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