Bradbury-Baker-Rogers

1902, married Mary Ann Sayer.

1911 Harold Knott 32 born in Goldenhill, a colliery labourer above ground is living at 10 Amivable Street, Tunstall, Stoke on Trent with his wife Mary Ann, 25 born Tunstall. They have been married for 8 years and had 3 children, one of whom has died. With them are their children Gertie Knott and Annie Elizabeth Knott both 1 and born in Tunstall. With them are Mary Ann Sayer, Harold's mother-in-law, 69 and widowed, born in Birmingham and his unlce Frederick Furnival 62, single, born in Tunstall.

1914: On 23rd October 1914 Harold Knott, born in Goldenhill, Staffordshire, signed up for army service and was examined at Normanton.

He delared his age to be 34 years and 165 days (which was approximately 2 years younger than his actual age). His occupation was miner and he was described as 5 feet and five inches tall (1.65m) and 127lbs (57.6kg) weight with 36 inch (91cm) expanded chest with 3 inch (7.6cm) expansion. His physical development was described as good and his pulse rate 80. He had tweo vaccination marks from vaccinations given in infancy. No defects or inndications of previous disease and normal vision. He joined the North Staffs regiment 14959 and on 24th October he was certified as fit for service by Major A Smith at Pontefract.

His service was short lived as he became non-effective due to discharge on 12 November 1914. His service length was given as 21 days. The reason for discharge was "Not being likely to become an efficient soldier para 392(iii) Kings Rgs(c) although he had originally been passed as fit to serve.
This regulation means: (iii) Not likely to become an efficient soldier (c) Recruit within three months of enlistment considered unfit for service.

The army documents identify Mary Ann Sayer as his wife, their marriage witnesses by John and Sarah Jones at St Mary's church Tunsall on 1 September 1902 and now living at 42 Robin Hood St, Whitwood, Normanton. His children are listed as Gertrude and Elizabeth, twins, born in Tunstall on 5 Spetember 1909 and Edith born in Whitewood on 23 April 1914.

However, it appears that Harold din't give up. Less than a month later on 2 December 1914 he signs up for the reserves. He gives his address as 44 Aketon Road, Castleford. 8th (Reserve battalion) of West Yorks regiment (Leeds rifles). The record runs from 2 Dec 1914 to 4 march 1918 when he is discharged as unfit for service "No longer physically fit for war service" Kings Reg Para 392 (xvi). There is a note that saus he is "Liable to be sent a Statutory Order on 4 March 1919 requiring him to present himself for medical e-examination under the Military Service (? of Exceptions) Act 1917.

The history sheet records Embodied Home 2-2-14 to 16-8-1816, Reserve W 17-8-1916 to 20-12-1917 and Home 21-12-1917 to 4-3-1918. A total of 3yrs and 93 days. His wife is identfied as Mrs Mary Ann Knott of the same address and his children as Gertrude and Ann Elizabeth (5/9/09) and Edith 23/4/14)

He was awarded a disablement pension: a gratuity of £20 although degree of disablement was given as nil,(later 10%) the reason for his discharge was unfit due to old injury to back in pit" Medical notes contained in the documentation show that Harold was hospitalised on a number of occassions complaining of back pain but comments by the doctors indicate they are not convinced and think he may be shirking. In attestation for medical discahrge Harold has told them his original injury happened at Chatterley Whitfield in 1907 when he was trapped under a roof fall and that he had spent time in the North Staffs Royal Infirmary.

In 1939 Harold is living at 50 Charles Street, Stoke on Trent. He is widowed and working as a coal hewer below ground.

Possible died in Goldenhill in 1954