Page 68 - WW1 - 1915

Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1 Redditch Local History Society

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 21 August
1915

Striking War Incident – Webheath Parents’ Pleasant Surprise – Our readers will
recollect that Mr and Mrs Smout of Hill Top, Webheath, recently lost a son in France. A few
days ago they received information which told them that the authorities could not trace their
son, Albert, who had been engaged in mine-sweeping. He had been traced to the North of
Scotland, since when all knowledge of him ceased. On Saturday, between one and two
o’clock, Mr Smout, in conversation with neighbours said they had lost one son at the war,
and now he supposed another one had been killed. Within half an hour of this conversation,
to the great surprise and relief of his parents, their son walked into his home in good health.
His arrival at home removed the great anxiety and concern for his well-being. Another son,
it may be recalled, was saved from the Triumph.

(Albert’s (who possibly was actually Alfred or Harold Smout as Jack didn’t seem to have a brother Albert)
rd
brother was Jack Smout who was killed in action 23 July 1915.)
(On the 1901 census Alfred/Harold lived with his parents Alfred and Ellen in Feckenham)

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