Page 13 - WW1 - 1915

Redditch Local History Society Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1

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Evening Despatch – Friday 29 January 1915

An Optimistic View – Redditch Motorist’s visit home from the front – Corporal F. H.
Knott, of the Royal Engineers, formerly a well-known Redditch motor-cyclist, who has been
serving as a motor despatch rider in France, returned to his home at Redditch on special
leave.

He takes an optimistic view of the situation at the front. The British soldiers were in
excellent spirits, and had the greatest confidence as to what the result will be when a
forward move is made. The country at the present time is under water.

Rivers had overflowed their banks, and he had had to ride through several inches of water.
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The 7 Division, to which he was attached, had taken part in some heavy fighting. They held
the key to Ypres again, two German army corps. and received warm praise from General
French.

Corporal Knott has had many exciting experiences. Once just after he had left his motor
bicycle, the lamp was blown off by a piece of shell. “A bit of dirt has hit your machine,” was
the unconcerned remark of a sentry who was on duty near.
(On the 1911 census Frederick Harold Knott, aged 24, Builder & Contractors Clerk, lived with his parents
William and Christiana Knott, at 23 Melen Street, Redditch.)

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