Red letter day as Royal Mail dedicates Birmingham postbox to Ypres VC hero

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 30 Sep 2017, 14:39

http://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/news/re ... -1-8173476" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A serviceman awarded a Victoria Cross for bravery during the First World War has had a postbox dedicated in his honour.

Royal Mail said it wanted to recognise the heroism of Sergeant Alfred Knight during the battle for Wurst Farm in Ypres, Belgium, by unveiling a plaque on a postbox in his home city of Birmingham.

He was working as a clerk in a post office in Nottingham when he enlisted in the Post Office Rifles.

Royal Mail's delivery leader for the West Midlands, Natalie Frow said: "We're delighted to dedicate this postbox in honour of Sergeant Knight on the centenary of his brave actions.

"Most of the men who left their postal jobs to serve in the military during the First World War were ordinary people and most had no previous military experience. "This makes Sgt Knight's courage whilst under attack truly heroic. "We believe this unique and highly visible tribute will ensure that Sgt Knight's bravery and heroism is never forgotten."

The plaque was unveiled on the street where Mr Knight lived.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 30 Sep 2017, 14:42

VC ACTION http://www.vconline.org.uk/alfred-j-kni ... 4587325101" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On 20 September 1917 at Alberta Section, Ypres, Belgium, when his platoon came under very heavy fire from an enemy machine-gun, Sergeant Knight rushed through our own barrage and captured it single-handed. He performed several other acts of conspicuous bravery single-handed, all under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and without regard to personal safety. All the platoon officers of the company had become casualties before the first objective was reached, and this NCO took command not only of all the men of his own platoon but of the platoons without officers and his energy in consolidating and reorganising was untiring. He later achieved the rank of second lieutenant.

Original Article from 1917