James KNIGHT

23 October 1914

COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRENSHAM CAMP: A REFUTATION

With reference to the extracts from a letter from Mr. Tom Pickles, re. Frensham Camp, published in the Pioneer, we shall be obliged if you will publish the following remarks:–

1. We have shown the paper to an officer here, and he says that the statements published are quite untrue.

2. The case of seeing a man brought to the mortuary must be imaginary, firstly because there is not a mortuary here and secondly that the only case of death in connection with this camp took place in Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, last week. Surely this is a small death rate out of about 10,000 troops.

3. As regards the ‘sick’, some men will go to the doctor if they have a headache and so try to escape drill, etc., but they get put on police duty and cleaning up the camp. The real cases of sickness are treated as they should be.

4. The statement that no smoking is allowed at camp is also untrue; we can smoke as much as we like, but we cannot buy cigarettes in camp. We can, however, buy as many cigarettes and as much tobacco as we require in the village.

The reason we write the above is because I think it only right that the parents and friends of soldiers from Barnoldswick and Craven district should be allowed to hear the truth, and because we think that the statements as have been published are detrimental to recruiting. -Yours truly.

T. PATRICK, Barnoldswick
W.D. STOCKDALE, Thornton
W. ROBINSON, Thornton
T.L. LANG, Barnoldswick
C. LEIGH, Barnoldswick
ROBERT HUNTER, Barnoldswick
R.P. WALKER, Gargrave
J. WOLFENDEN, Earby
W.H. DOVER, Earby
W.B. HOLMES, Kildwick
J. KNIGHT, Earby
M.D. SMITH, Earby
C.G. CHURCH, Crosshills
WRIGHT FIRTH, Earby
ALLAN WHARTON, Earby
JAMES WALKER, Earby

All attached to the 10th West Riding Regiment.
Frensham Camp, Surrey
October 19th 1914

07 September 1917

EARBY YOUTH’S DISTINCTION

Widow’s Son Wins Military Medal

Pte. James Knight, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who has recently been awarded the Military Medal in France, is the 19 year old son of Mrs. Knight, a widow in very humble circumstances, residing at 33, Albert Street, Earby. Formerly employed as a weaver at Messrs. R. Nutter and Co.’s, Grove Shed, he first joined the army over two years ago, but owing to his being under age and the main support of the home, he was released on his mother’s application until he gained the age of 18, which he did twelve months ago, when he rejoined. The following is the official record of the incident for which the medal has been awarded:–

“For gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy’s trenches, North-East of Monchy, on the evening of 9th August, 1917. This man formed one of the Lewis Gun Team with the raiding party. When, owing to high weeds, it was found impossible to sight the gun from the ground this man bent over and formed a rest for it with his body, and continued to do so until the whole of the magazines had been expended. The enemy’s fire was very heavy, and two men of the team were killed in the act of firing the gun while Pte. Knight remained in his position.”

In a letter to his mother, Pte. Knight writes:– “I am glad to tell you I’ve got the Military Medal all right, and am sending you the paper to save for me. Though I got the Medal I was in no great danger, so you have no need to worry about me. I am in the best of health.”

26 October 1917

KNIGHT – Died of wounds, Oct. 13th, Pte James Knight, of the West Riding Regiment, son of Mrs. Knight, of 33, Albert Road, Earby, aged 19.

26 October 1917

EARBY MEDALLIST DIES OF WOUNDS

About two months ago we published an account of the winning of the Military Medal by an Earby soldier named Pte. James Knight, West Riding Regiment, son of Mrs. Knight, a widow, residing at 33, Albert Street, Earby. Ten days ago an official intimation came to hand stating that he had been severely wounded, followed on Saturday by news of his death, which took place on the 13th inst. in France. Pte. Knight had been out about 11 months. He was only 19 year of age, and prior to joining up was the sole support of his mother, who is in very feeble health. The deed which earned him the Military Medal was officially recorded in the following terms:– “For gallantry and devotion to duty. During a raid on the enemy’s trenches, North East of Monchy on the evening of August 9th, 1917, this man formed one of the Lewis Gun team, with the raiding party. When owing to high weeds it was found impossible to sight the gun from the ground this man bent over and formed a rest for it with his body, and continued to do so until the whole of the magazines had been expended. The enemy’s fire throughout was very heavy, and two men of the team were killed in the act of firing the gun, while Pte. Knight remained in his position. Recommended for D.C.M., awarded Military Medal.”

01 November 1918

Earby Recruit’s Death in Camp

The death occurred on Sunday. under particularly sad circumstances, at a Southern training camp, of Pte. Christopher Knight, R.A.F., whose wife and four children reside at 63, Water Street, Earby. Deceased, who was 30 years of age, was called to the colours on Oct. 16th, after being several times rejected, he having been passed Grade II. at Halifax on re-examination, and sent to a camp at Brandford, Dorset, under canvas. On Wednesday of last week Mrs. Knight received a wire from the C.O. informing her that her husband was seriously ill with pneumonia and inviting her to visit him. Mrs. Knight started off the same night, but on arrival at the camp hospital found her husband in a delirious condition, in which he lingered until the end. His remains have been brought home to Earby for burial. Prior to joining the army he was a labourer in the employ of Mr. Wm. Wilkinson, builder, Earby. His younger brother, Pte. James Knight (18), of Albert Street, was killed in France last spring.