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.