Robert Owen Knowles MD

[helachau]

Seems he was a pretty sharp lad.

[JohnBass]

Yes he was, and I think there is more to discover. He was fortunate to survive the war. His younger brother, who was in 10 Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed at 26 on 13/11/1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. I will continue searching for more details of RO Knowles. There is a family story about him being involved in "special operations" - probably a family myth, but any idea what it might mean? He specialised in tropical medicine, and there is mention in one of the newspaper articles about him being a surgeon

[helachau]

Can''t help re. "special operations" and, as we all know, family myths are notoriously suspect. My mother would tell one about my grandfather home on leave in WW1. It had a grain of truth in it, as many do, but, sadly, the newspapers at the time told a different story. A pity the story that has Robert in Kent in 1917 couldn't add more.

Best of luck with the search.

[JohnBass]

I have now discovered that Robert Owen Knowles MD RAMC, was also attached to the 10th Black Watch and served as a Captain with the international forces in Salonika in late 1917/early 1918, He was then transferred back to France. Can anybody help with any information about the 10th Black Watch and its role in Salonika? As a doctor he presumably worked in field hospitals, does anybody have information relating to those of either the 4th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in France or of the 10th Black Watch in Salonika?
Thanks
John Bass

[SueNSW]

Not a lot more at the moment John - the Salonika campaign war diaries are only available to read at the NA rather than digitised - but there was a book - A History of The Black Watch in the Great War Ed A G Wauchope - 1925-26 in 3 vols. An internet post suggests the 10th Battalion material is to be found in Vol III (New Army).

[JohnBass]

Hi SueNSW - thank you
Regards John Bass

[helachau]

I googled "black watch salonika". Amongst the hits returned was "The Black Watch A concise History Google Books Result" by Trevor Royle - 2011-History

Clicking on this took me to a page with a paragraph/snippet about the medical problems the 10th experieced in Salonika.

[JohnBass]

Thank you. I've found a copy on Abe Books which I've ordered.
Regards
john bass