Philip George Knightley

Captain Philip George Knightley
Royal Army Medical Corps.
Old Contemptible

Division 12

Captain Philip George Knightley death was announced in the Reading Std April 9th 1965.

A Boer War Veteran and Old Contemptible who died in the Battle Hospital, Reading aged 88.

The standards of the British Legion and the Old Contemptibles were flown at the funeral, both at the service in St. John’s Church, Watlington St., and at the Cemetery.  Members of both organisations joined family mourners.

Capt. Knightley, lived at 1 Watlington St. Reading, where he had a general provisions business.  He joined the RAMC in 1894 and served in South Africa.  He was the holder of both the Queen’s and King’s South African medals.  During the First World War he fought on many battle fields and was mentioned in dispatches on three occasions.  He also held long service and good conduct medals.  He was commissioned in 1916 and was a Captain on his discharge in 1926 after completing 32 years service.

He joined the British Legion and was appointed county secretary for Berks. in 1939.  He held the position until failing eyesight forced him to retire in 1959.  As well as being a life member of the Legion, Captain Knightley was awarded its gold badge.  When he retired he was presented with a cheque for 100 guineas, the money having been subscribed by the 50 branches in the county.  He was president of the Reading branch of the Old Contemptibles.

Captain Knightley left a widow, two sons and a daughter, 12 grandchildren and 2 great grand children.

Frederick John Knott

Frederick John Thomas Knott
Private 31609
63rd Company Machine Gun Corps.

Division 9

KNOTT F MGC  CIMG2155CIMG2156

 

Frederick Knott is commemorated on a his family’s grave number 9931.  He was the son of Frederick and Harriet Knott who lived at 4, Fulham Road, Reading.  The 1911 census indicates that he was the eldest of seven children, he had a younger brother and five sisters. Frederick Knott was killed on 23rd April 1917, aged 19.  

 Frederick Knott has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial Panel 10.  The Arras Memorial bears the names of 35,000 casualties who died between Spring 1916 and 7th August 1918 and who have no known graves.

 The exact circumstances of his death are unknown but the Battle of Arras began on 9th April 1917 and the 23rd April 1917 was the start of the second phase, with the British attacking north and south of the River Scarpe.  The early stages involved the capture of Vimy Ridge and the village vantage point of Monchy-le-Preux.   The second stage continued the steady pressure towards the east and Cambrai with heavy fighting around Gavrelle and Oppy Wood.

George Knowles

George Knowles
Private 2065
2nd/5th Batt. Loyal North Lancs. Regt.

War Plot
Division 71 & 72

George Knowles was the son of the late John and Martha Knowles.  He was born at Hindley, Wigan.  He died of sickness aged 24 on the 21st May 1915.

The Standard of June 5th 1915 gives details of his military funeral.

Knowles & Hunt funeral

 

 “A double funeral of Pte. George Knowles (23) who died a Royal Berks. Hospital  and Pte Alfred Hunt who died at Reading War hospital.  The service was conducted at St. Giles church where Rev. F.J.C. Gillmor (Military Chaplain) officiated.  Each coffin was draped in a Union Jack, the coffins were borne to the cemetery on cable cars, while an escort and firing party were provided by the RE a contingent of the RAMC also being in attendance.  Pte. Knowles had no relatives, mourners for Pte. Hunt included his brother and sister in law, Mrs Hunt.  Flora tributes were from widow, aunt and Reading War hospital Ward C15.”