A BIT OF GOOD NEWS

"I have a bit of good news for you this time", says Driver J. Knapton, of the Royal Artillery, serving with the C.M.F., to his mother Mrs W Knapton, of Gillan Street, Knottingley, in a letter written on the 2nd of March, "I've made contact with Rowland".

Driver Knapton goes on, "He is only six miles behind us now. I was at a concert this week when I saw some Y&L,'s and on enquiring I met his roommate...He came up the same night. We fully expected moving up the line next night so I hitch-hiked down to see him but he and his pal had decided to come up and see us, so when I got to his place he was absent. I rushed back in a sweat, through the pouring rain, and he was waiting for me with three bottles of beer and a bottle of wine. My, didn't it go down grand! We are staying here a while so this week-end me and my pals are giving his company a visit. It's certainly been my lucky week. I've met Steve Acton whose grandfather kept the 'Bay Horse' and Alf Skelton, they are only twenty yards from me,  The two Stenton brothers are also nearby. I have not met them yet, but Alf Skelton has and we are going to look them up. On leaving the concert I ran into Jackie Shay and now he's a regular visitor. Knottingley is well represented on the Italian Front! You can assure their folks they are all fit and full of beans and confident of an early victory. We have all experienced whatever Jerry can send along but we can still smile and sink our ration of beer and Vino.  The news is coming through alright so don't worry about us. Hoping all's well at home."

A brother of Driver Knapton, Godfrey is in the Forces.

Pontefract and Castleford Express March 24th 1944

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