Name
Gerard Godfrey Knighton
7 Jul 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/04/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Major
Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
5 Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Mentioned in Dispatches
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BUCQUOY ROAD CEMETERY, FICHEUX
I. D. 5
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Aldenham School Memorial, Aldenham, St Saviours Parishioners, Kew, Surrey, Ealing Memorial Gates, London, St Blasius Church, Shanklin, IOW, Shanklin, IOW
Pre War
Gerald Godfrey Knighton was born in Kew, London in 1888, Son of Mr. Frederick A. Knighton, Estate Agent, and Alice (nee Turner).
Educated at Prep. School in Southbourne on Sea and Aldenham School. He went to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the Officers Training Corps for 4 years, gaining a 2nd Class honours degree in Science.
In 1910 he obtained a Science Master position at St Andrews College in Toronto, Canada. After 3 years (1913) in this position he returned to England to read for Holy Orders at Bishops College, Cheshunt
Wartime Service
Following the outbreak of the Great War he joined the Universities and Public Schools Corps on 12 Sep 1914 being gazetted for 2nd Lieutenant on 8 Oct 1914, Lieutenant on 15 Dec 1914, Captain on 29 Dec 1914 and Major 1 Oct 1916. He served with the B.E.F. in France & Flanders from 8 Sep 1916. Wounded in action at arras on 28 Apr 1917, he died from his wounds on 30 April while in 7th Corps Dressing Station and is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery near Arras.
Col. J R Dyas, the commanding Officer under whom he served for the longest period, wrote: “When I came to the 9th Battn. in Aug 1915, Capt. GG Knighton was in command of A Company and he continued in this responsible position until he left us for France in Sep 1916. During this time of unceasing work I formed the highest opinion of his ability and devotion to duty. He was an excellent trainer of men and a most valuable officer. His death is a great sorrow to all who served with him and a grievous loss to the service".
Major Knighton was Mentioned in Despatches by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig for gallant and distinguished service in the field. (25 May 1917, London Gazette)
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Tony James
