Name
Albert Frank Knight
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8671
Northamptonshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 28 to 30.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France to the missing
UK & Other Memorials
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Oxhey, Herts, War Memorial
Pre War
Albert Frank Knight was born in Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire, in 1891, the son of William Knight, a railway Lampman and Elizabeth Knight (nee Rogers). The youngest of five children, 2 of which died in childhood. He was Baptised on 29th March 1891, at St Mary’s Church, Bletchley, Bucks. He grew up in Fenny Stratford with his two older sisters.
The 1891 Census records Albert aged 1 month, living with his parents William and Elizabeth, sisters Daisy 7, and Ethel 2, in Duncombe Street, Fenny Stratford, Bucks.
Alberts mother Elizabeth died in 1895. His father William remarried on 17th April 1897, at St Mary’s Church, Fenny Stratford, Bucks, to Emma Adams, (a Widow).
By 1901, his oldest sister, Daisy, was 14 and was employed as a living-in domestic servant in Fenny Stratford. His father William was now a Signalman for the London North Western Railway Company. Albert aged 10, was living with his father and stepmother Emma and sister Ethel 12, in Duncombe Street, Fenny Stratford, Bucks.
In December 1907, Albert enlisted at Northampton, in the Army. In February 1908 he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment initially with the service number 8240, and then 8671. His 1907, Service Record gives his address as 61 Manor Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. His aged given as 17yrs & 11months and he was working as a Builders Labourer.
1911 Census records Albert living at home with his father and stepmother Emma in Bugbrooke, Northampton. His occupation given as a Soldier in the Northamptonshire Regiment.
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of war, it is believed Albert was still a serving soldier with the 1st Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment, he landed in France on 6th November 1914. He was involved in engagements at Mons and Ypres. He was killed in action at the battle of Aubers Ridge on 9th May 1915, aged 24, he has no known grave. He is remembered with honour at the Le Touret Memorial in France. Panel 28-30. He is commemorated at St Matthew’s Church Oxhey, Herts.
His father is recorded as living at 8 Aldenham Road, Oxhey in 1915 and both his sisters later died in the Watford area.
Additional Information
The value of his effects were £20-7s-5d, Pay owing which went to his father William and £5, War Gratuity which went to his stepmother Emma. Information provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
