Hedley KNOWLES

11 December 1914

PROMOTIONS

The following were gazetted last week:– 6th Battalion the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment:– Lieutenant C. H. Sarsby to be captain temporarily; Second-Lieutenant H. Knowles to be lieutenant temporarily; Supernumerary Lieutenant W. A. Mackenzie is absorbed into the establishment; Second Lieutenant E. J. C. Supple to be lieutenant temporarily.

04 June 1915

KNOWLES – May 30th 1915, accidentally killed while serving with the British Expeditionary Force in France, Lieut. Hedley Knowles, of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, only son of Mr. Marmaduke Redmayne Knowles, solicitor, and Mrs. Elizabeth Morton Knowles, of The Arches, Skipton, aged 22 years.

04 June 1915

The Late Lieut. Knowles

Many homes in Craven are, in common with other parts of the country, mourning the death of fathers and sons in the fighting line in Flanders. Several of our brave fellows in Skipton and the immediate district have already given themselves to the country for their country's good. They have died in a glorious cause - the cause of national righteousness and national honour. We all hate the necessity for the sacrifice of life that has so far been entailed, but we all realise that there is nothing but sacrifice needed if we are to preserve our freedom-loving country from “being over-run by a hateful and barbarous foe.” It was this view that induced the young men of Skipton, of whom Lieut. Hedley Knowles was one, to respond to the call of their King and Country in the early days of the war: it is for this cause that Lieut. Knowles has given his young life. Full of pluck, imbued with that fine British spirit which realises his duty and does it, Lieut. Knowles, whose death we record with deep regret, accompanied his regiment a few weeks ago to a position near the firing line in Flanders. It was while instructing his men in the art of bomb throwing that one of them, of apparently defective construction, burst, and inflicted such injuries as resulted in instant death. Those who knew him will thoroughly agree with his Commanding Officer's description of Lieut. Knowles as a ‘thorough sportsman.’ With the rod, the gun, or the golf club, he ever played the game for the game's sake, just as he has played his country's game for his country's sake. Words are feeble on these occasions to convey the thoughts that lie deep down in the heart, but we are but echoing the sentiments of our readers in assuring Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Knowles that the deepest sympathy is felt for them in this their hour of bitter trouble in the loss of an only son, who was a credit to his parents, his upbringing, the legal profession which it was intended he should follow, and the town of Skipton, where he was born.

Details concerning the unfortunate event will he found on page 2 of this issue.

04 June 1915

SKIPTON OFFICER ACCIDENTALLY KILLED – LIEUTENANT HEDLEY KNOWLES

Late on Tuesday evening Mr. M.R Knowles, solicitor, The Arches, Skipton, and clerk to the Skipton Rural District Council, received an intimation that his only son, Lieut. Hedley Knowles, of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, had been accidentally killed. The sad news was conveyed in a message from the Territorial Records Officer, York, which was in the following terms:– “Regret to inform you that Lieut. H. Knowles was killed accidentally on May 30th. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy.”

The following morning Mr. Knowles received a letter from an officer holding high command in the regiment which gave further details of the painful occurrence. It was in the following terms–

6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, France

“Dear Mr. Knowles, – I am very sorry indeed to have to tell you that your son was killed yesterday and died about 6 p.m. He was instructing at the school of bomb throwers and was killed owing to a premature explosion when a rifle grenade was fired. He was hit in the head and death was practically instantaneous. There was no carelessness on the part of anybody, and the accident must have been caused by some defect in the bomb.

"We are greatly grieved, and he was a great favourite with both officers and men. Quiet, unassuming, there was no better officer in my regiment, and none who took a greater interest in his work. He was an excellent soldier and a thorough sportsman. He knew no fear, his only wish being to serve his King and Country for which he has now given his life. We are all proud to have his name on our Regimental Records and we offer to you and Mrs. Knowles our very deep sympathy, and, believe me, it is equally shared by all who know him.”

Lieut. Knowles was only 22 years of age. His connection with the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's dates back to 1913 when he was gazetted Second Lieutenant. His first camp was that at Marske last year, when the manoeuvres were interrupted by the mobilisation of the Territorial Force following Germany's declaration of war. He left with the Battalion for Immingham and has since been in training at Healing, Riby, and Doncaster. Lieut. Knowles was a thoroughly capable and conscientious officer who won for himself not only the commendation of his superiors in rank but also the goodwill of his men. Four days after the arrival of the Battalion in France, some six weeks ago, Lieut. Knowles had his first experience of the trenches and the following day took in his men. From that time he appears to have been attached to the school of bomb throwers, having occasionally made brief reference to his work in this connection when writing back.

Prior to the mobilisation of the Battalion, Lieut. Knowles acted as secretary to the local companies of the National Reserve, taking over the duties from his father, who occupied the position when the movement was inaugurated. Lieut. Knowles was intended for the legal profession and was studying for his final examination when hostilities commenced on the Continent.

The remains of the brave lad were interred with reverence in the cemetery at Fleurbaix in the presence of the officers and men, and a plain cross, inscribed with his name and regiment, marking the last resting place.

Mr. and Mrs. Knowles and Miss Knowles have the heartfelt sympathy of the district with them in their hour of sorrow.

The family have received so many touching letters of condolence and sympathy that it is impossible at present to reply to them individually, and Mr. Knowles asks us to thank the writers for their kindness especially one who signs herself “a Mother.”

11 June 1915

SKIPTON UNION, BOARD OF GUARDIANS – THE LATE LIEUT. KNOWLES

Before commencing the ordinary business, the Chairman said it was his painful duty to ask the Board to pass a vote of sympathy with Mr. Knowles and family in the loss they had sustained by the accidental death of their son, Lieut. Hedley Knowles, while serving with his regiment in France. With others he was engaged firing bombs, and was the one to take observation. It was pretty clear that one of the bombs burst before its time, and Lieut. Knowles was injured in the head, knocked insensible, and never regained consciousness. Three of those who were with Lieut. Knowles at the time were very badly injured, but not unconscious, and the fact that these men immediately said “Look after him; never mind us,” would give the Board some idea of what the young officer was thought of. He died the same evening as the accident, and was given a soldier's funeral the following day. Mr. and Mrs. Knowles had told him (the Chairman) they were proud to be the parents of an officer who died for his country. Lieut. Knowles was known to most of them. He was a true sportsman and certainly knew no fear. He (the speaker) was sure the members of the Board would agree that Lieut. Knowles had died a noble death and would offer all the sympathy they could to the father, mother, and sister.

Mr Speak seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr. W. A. Procter. The latter said he had known Lieut. Knowles since his boyhood, and always found him a most gentlemanly and fine fellow. He was sure Mr. Knowles had lost a dutiful and promising son, and the country a good soldier, while he, personally, felt he had lost a friend.

Mr. Martin, on behalf of the officers, associated himself with the resolution of sympathy, which was carried by the members rising in silence.

11 June 1915

The Late Lieut. Knowles

In the course of his sermon at the Skipton Parish Church on Sunday morning last the Ven. Archdeacon Cook made a brief reference to the death of Lieut. Hedley Knowles, and expressed the sympathy of the congregation with the bereaved family. Included in the hymns were ‘Thy will be done,’ and ‘Brief life is here our portion.’

11 June 1915

The Late Lieut. Hedley Knowles

A letter written by an officer who was with Lieut. Hedley Knowles at the time of his fatal accident (recorded in last week's Herald) gives the exact circumstances under which the sad affair took place. We give the facts to set at rest any idea that may have been entertained that the young officer was in any way guilty of carelessness in his performance of duty.

The deceased, accompanied by an officer (with whom he had lived alone for the previous five weeks), and four men, went to a place where they were accustomed to throw live bombs and to fire rifle grenades from a stand that they had invented. “We were seeing what range we could get at certain angles. Everything went off well until the very last one we were going to fire. All, except two privates, got down into the trench in case any missiles flew back, then one of the men fired the grenade, and there was an awful explosion and noise. I was dazed for a minute, but not hurt, but poor Knowles, who was in the trench behind me (not a foot away), was hit. He was never conscious. He never spoke, though I thought he heard me speak to him at the very beginning, but the doctors say it was improbable.”

Three of the men were hurt, two of them badly. They both exclaimed when help was summoned, “We are all right, see to Mr. Knowles; we can wait.” The officer adds in his letter that “the accident was not the fault of any person; but was a mechanical defect in the grenade. The Grenade Co. behaved splendidly at the funeral, and everything was done decently and in order. The General and Brigade-Major were present, as also the Colonel and a few officers – the rest were in the trenches.”

18 June 1915

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT: THE LATE LIEUT. KNOWLES – A SOLDIER'S APPRECIATION

Writing from ‘somewhere in France’ on the 12th inst., a well-known local private in the 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, says (inter alia):– “You will by now have heard about Lieut. Knowles. It was a very sad business. He was one of our most capable lieutenants, and it is such men as he that a Battalion out here can't afford to lose. We have had a few thunderstorms this last day or two, after a week or two of tropical heat, but the weather soon clears up after these storms.”

Sergt. A. Pryke, of Skipton, writing to his parents, makes the following reference to the late Lieut. Knowles:– “He was a fine soldier and a credit to the British Army. His father and mother ought to be proud of him. We felt his loss very much indeed. He was always looking after his lads; always thinking of them first. His heart and soul was in the army and its work, and he would have made a name for himself if he had not gone under. But such things cannot be helped; we are getting used to them by now.”

02 July 1915

SKIPTONIAN WITH MEDITERRANEAN FORCES

Writing under the date of June 18th, to Mr. C. Horne, the hon. secretary of the Skipton Football Club, acknowledging cigarettes sent by the club to its members on active service, Private W.J. Bell, a former Skipton footballer, and now of the Motor Transport Section of the Army Service Corps, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, states:– “I was pleased to hear that the Committee had not forgot the boys. A good cigarette is hard to get, and it is as bad here as in France. I was sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Knowles’ son, and I felt how he was becoming a good officer. I think Alf Clarke will by now have got used to blowing his instrument; and when the football season starts he will be able to last two eighty minutes. You must tell Greenwood that he will have to put a little more pluck into his men, and fancy being beaten by ten wickets by King Cross after beating Keighley the day previous.

I was sorry to hear of the death of Fred Cartman, and also of Tom Sheldon having his leg taken off. I can tell you it is d-----ish hot out here, and they say that last Tuesday was the hottest day we have had for forty years. You have heard the song about the burning plains of Egypt, and they don’t half burn. It does not half fetch the sweat out of us, and I am nearly a grease spot now. Still I am in the best of condition, and we have a good billet on the seafront.”

04 August 1916

SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL – The Roll of Honour

At their day of all days did they think with pride and love of those who – some of those so recently in their midst playing their games, sharing their work, living their life, learning their ideals – had carried these ideals on to the field of battle to fight for King and Country as once they fought for their school. It was impossible to give them a full list of all old boys who had joined the Colours, but they owed it to the memory of these heroes of the Skipton Grammar School who had so willingly given their lives to the Empire to do public honour and reverence to their names.

The following old boys and masters had died on active service:–

Lieut. C. W. Brown, Sergt. J. Cockerill, Second-Lieut. H. Colley, Major M. T. Cookson, Lieut. H. Knowles, Second-Lieut. J. C. McIntyre, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple, Pte. F. Thornton, Second-Lieut. Ian Wilson

Let their example, and the example of all their sons who had so freely responded to their country’s call, be the dominant thought in this their day of thanksgiving. God give them grace to keep the tradition that they had made for them.

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS

LIEUTENANT H. KNOWLES

6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mr. M. R. Knowles, solicitor, The Arches, Skipton. Accidentally killed in France May 30th, 1915, aged 22 years.