On This Day, 15 March 1918

Evening Despatch

Friday 15 March 1918

GALLANT BROTHERS.

BIRMINGHAM SOLDIER GAINS MILITARY MEDAL.

After being twice recommended for his gallantry, Sapper John Knight, R.E., of 25 Blackford-road, Sparkhill, who has now been discharged through shell shock, gained the Military Medal. He joined the colours 2 ½ years ago, and in 1915 was “recommended” for going out with an officer and blowing up an enemy machine-gun.

At Monchy he volunteered to bring in wire-cutters under very heavy shell and machine-gun fire. Sapper Knight attended both Dennis-road and College-road Schools. Before the war he was employed as an engineer at the Birmingham G.P.O.

A younger brother, Pte. Mark Knight, R.W.R., has also been discharged through shell shock. He was buried twice during the fighting in France. Invalided home he was discharged as under age, only to be called up again and finally discharged when he became 18.