A/Sergeant Arthur George Knight #426402, 10th Battalion, Victoria Cross

Photo by Bob Richardson 2008

Born June 26, 1886 in Hayward's Heath, Sussex to parents Edward Henry Knight, a carpenter/joiner and Ellen Stoner living in Reigate, Surrey. He had three younger sisters. In the 1911 U.K. Census, Arthur George Knight is found serving in India with the 12th Battery Royal Garrison Artillery and single, born in Ramsgate. We find Arthur George emigrating to Regina, Saskatchewan June 25, 1911 on the S.S. Albania from Southampton to Quebec where he found employment as a carpenter living at 1843 Rae Street. He enlisted in Regina with the 46th Battalion on December 19, 1914. At time of enlistment, Edward Henry Knight was 5'9" tall, had fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair and his religion was Church of England.

Joined the 46th (South Saskatchewan) Battalion, 1st Reinforcing Draft, December 19, 1914 in Regina, Saskatchewan. They sailed July 5, 1915 from Montreal to Southampton on the S.S. Edele. On arrival Shorncliffe Camp July 18 assigned to 32nd Reserve Battalion. Forfeited 7 days pay for AWL Shorncliffe August 19, 1915. Assigned to the 10th Battalion August 23. Sent first to #3 Field Ambulance then to #1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples for treatment chronic nephritis then January 18, 1916 sent on to Monk's Hospital, Shorncliffe for treatment mylgia. Return to 10th Battalion May 4, 1916. Awarded the Croix de Guerre by the King of Belgium in the Field July 12, 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal June 16, 1917. Appointed Acting Corporal with pay August 22, 1917. Promoted full Corporal September 25, 1917. Broke ankle tripping over barbed wire while delivering food rations, sent to 1st Canadian Field Ambulance. Promoted Acting Sergeant March 3, 1918. Killed in action September 3, 1918. Awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously December 4, 1918.

Killed in action September 3, 1918 during the 4th Division attack on Dury village and the Drocourt-Queant Line. His Circumstances of Casualty form claims " Killed In Action - While taking part in operations with his company, he was struck by shrapnel in the forehead from an enemy shell, at about 3:00 p.m. on September 3, 1918, when 500 or 600 yards left of Buissy. He died shortly after being wounded". Buried in Dominion British Cemetery, grave I.F.15, 9 3/4 miles South East of Arras.

His attestation paper and service record can be found at Library and Archives Canada HERE
His page on the Veteran Affairs Canada Virtual Memorial can be found HERE