Name
Harold Knight
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/03/1918
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
7294
King's Royal Rifle Corps
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHAUNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION
4.A 51
France
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hunsdon memorials
Pre War
Born in 1888, in Grays, Essex, to parents Charles and Elizabeth, he had four brothers and four sisters along with two half-sisters. In 1901 they were living in the gamekeepers cottage at Greenstead St Andrews, Colchester and his father was employed as a gamekeeper. The 1911 census shows Harold was at New Barracks, Gosport, in 1st Batt, Kings Royal Rifles. At the time of his death he was shown as living in Hunsdon. Was serving in 3rd Essex Militia until he joined the Regular army at Colchester on 21st August 1906 for 6 years, aged 18 with 1st Batt Kings Royal Rifles. Served in the UK until December 1908 when he was posted to Egypt for 18 months, on his return he served back in the UK at Aldershot and Gosport until he was due to be transferred to the Reserve service at the end of his Regular Service on 31/05/1912. Stayed as reserve until outbreak of war in 1914
Wartime Service
Called up on outbreak of war, posted to France in May 1915, received gunshot wound to foot on 08/05/1915. After hospital treatment posted back to regiment 02/08/1916. Fought on the Somme at Delville Wood and Flers Courcellete. In 1917 they fought at Arras, Langemarck and Passchendaele. In March 1918 they took part in the fighting at St Quentin as part of the 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. Following the German advances from 21st March the Division was involved in very heavy fighting and the division lost almost 6000 men. Harold knight was reported as wounded and missing, but was later found but died of his wounds.
Acknowledgments
Terry & Glenis Collins
