Page 60 - WW1 - 1914
P. 60
Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1 Redditch Local History Society
nd
Evening Despatch – Wednesday 2 December 1914
The Sailor’s Straits – Vicar to the Rescue – A hundred mile motor ride
From the Redditch district to-day comes a story of practical Christianity which is deserving of
note, particularly in view of the fact that the Samaritan prefers to be anonymous.
Last night a young sailor, due to reach his ship at Portsmouth by the first call to-day, made a
dash for the only train which would enable him to reach Portsmouth in time and missed it.
The village is small, and the sailor is of course in a sense a representative of the community’s
patriotism. His predicament provoked sympathy, but that did not take him nearer
Portsmouth until the vicar heard of the difficulty.
There was only one way out, and the clergyman took it. A motor-car was brought round,
and the sailor, with his belongings was stowed comfortably in it for the hundred mile ride.
During the silences of the night the car tore along the highways to Portsmouth and by dawn
to-day the sailor reported himself for duty.
Page: 60 © RLHS 2014
