I accept that Red light knocking shops existed for the men. But is there evidence, contemporary evidence, for officers bordellos bearing a Blue light? One of my 2RWF subalterns was killed in action post syphillis and gonorrhea, so he was a customer somewhere I suppose. Most towns behind the lines provided brothels. They were licensed by the French Government and monitored both by the BEF and the local authorities who were very effective.
The actual VD rate for those in France was lower by a significant percentage than that in the United Kingdom and the cases identified in France in most cases had contracted the disease back home.
My servant, who had stood in the queue, told me that the charge was ten francs a man. Each woman served nearly a battalion of men every week for as long as she lasted. I'm in Amsterdam at the minute an believe me the red and blue lights are still operating though those that try the blue lights are in for a little extra!!!! Robbie, so long as youve got money they let allsorts in, by what Im told.
I've been to Amsterdam and the red light district seems to be spread out all over the city. Didn't see any guys, however.
Isn't there are scene in 'Anzacs' where Paul Hogan and one of his offsiders try and get into a 'Blue Light'? Most definitely.. I came out several weeks ago. My girls used to go to them. Partridges Dictionary of Historical Slang, suggests that the word knock in the context of this thread, may derive from the late 16th to 18th century word nock, for female putend.
