Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Death of former Turriff postman Harry Duncan, 86

Harry Duncan.
Harry Duncan.

Harry Duncan, fun-loving retired Turriff postman – who once met Colonel Gaddafi – had died aged 86.

Inverurie born Harry Duncan

Born in Inverurie on July 17, 1935 to Justice of the Peace David Duncan and mum, Jessie Flett he moved to Turriff as a boy when his dad took up the role of JP for the town.

One of four, Harry had two sisters, Helen and Mabel, and a brother, David.

Educated firstly at Pitmedden in Inverurie then later at Turriff Academy, he left school around the age of 15.

National Service

When conscription called Harry served two years in the Royal Air Force where he was based in Shrewsbury. There, he learned his trade as a mechanic and also drove an RAF ambulance.

While still in the RAF he met future wife Mary Ann Duthie – known as Nan – of Fraserburgh.

At home one weekend he attended a dance in Broadsea Hall in the Broch and fell head over heels.

Harry and Nan Duncan on their wedding day in Fraserburgh.
Harry and Nan Duncan on their wedding day in Fraserburgh.

Married on November 9, 1956 at the Baptist Manse, Fraserburgh they Lived in Turriff.

The couple raised their children Linda, Yvonne, Harry and Jane, first in Cornfield Road, then Westbrae before Harry snr built the family home in Riddoch Lane.

‘Hello Post!’

After National Service Harry came home and found work in a commercial garage in Turriff.

He later joined the Post Office where he served the people of Turriff for more than 31 years.

Covering Turriff as well as Fyvie, Fisherie, New Deer, Auchterless, Forglen and Eastfield he was known to all.

A black and white picture depicting Harry Duncan of Turriff receiving his long service award from the Post Office.
Presented with a clock and a camera for long service to the Post Office is Harry Duncan holding his certificate.

“My dad was very well known,” said daughter Jane. “Over the years he must have delivered to every home in Turriff and people would shout out, ‘Hello Post!’ when he went by.”

When he wasn’t working Harry was a member of the local Masonic Lodge and loved to restore cars in his double garage at home.

A desert rendezvous with Gaddafi

He and Nan loved to travel, enjoying holidays in Spain and Tenerife over the years.

Former Turriff postman Harry Duncan shown with wife Nan cutting the cake at their 50th wedding anniversary.
Nan and Harry celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary.

However, a family connection also allowed Harry to travel further afield on one occasion.

Jane explained: “My dad was one of only 12 people invited to go the the desert in Libya to meet Colonel Gaddafi.

“He said they drank green tea together and Gaddafi read the ‘green book’ to them. Sadly no photos were allowed and that’s about all we know about that trip!”

Living with loss

When Nan passed away on November 22, 2007, Harry’s life changed forever.

“They had a great marriage and he missed her terribly,” said Jane.

However, he took comfort in being Ga Ga to his 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren always making sure he brought fun and hilarity to their gatherings.

Harry Duncan in a photograph with the growing family he was so proud of.
Harry Duncan, back centre, with the growing family he was so proud of.

A favourite trick was to secretly grab a handful of raisins if ever he saw a blue bottle in the house to pretend he had eaten the fly – much to the disgust of the grandchildren.

He also banished everyone from the kitchen and turned his hand to cooking. His speciality was sticky toffee pudding.

Later years

Harry latterly moved into The Meadows home in Huntly in 2019. Before that he still enjoyed a drink at the British Legion and the Fife Arms, although he did maintain his daily 5pm whisky even at home.

A recent bout of Covid was followed by symptoms that persisted for weeks. Harry passed away on June 1, at The Meadows.

Harry Duncan Turriff postman shown wearing a Halloween costume witch hat
Always up for fun, Harry Duncan.

His funeral took place on Thursday, June 9 and his love of eclectic music reflected in the service.

Jane added: “I will remember my dad as a hard worker, someone who was full of fun and who loved his family.”

You can read the family’s announcement here.

Conversation