SAPPER HENRY KNIGHT
8203 – 1st Tunnelling Company / Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Shepherd’s Flats, Victoria was registered as the birthplace of Henry Knight in 1886 the son of Joseph and Melvina Amanda (nee Robilliard) Knight. Military experience was gained with two years serving with the Aust Light Horse until discharged on leaving the district.
He was working at Korumburra, Vic when the following was reported in:
At the Recruiting Depot in Korumburra, Vic on April 10, 1917 the thirty year old unmarried electrical engineer applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the preliminary medical examination personal particulars taken reveal he was 168cms (5ft 6ins) tall with a chest measurement of 98cms (38½ins). Postal address was care of Mrs S.T. Lade, Shellcott Street, Korumburra. His application was accepted the next day by the recruiting officer.
Attestation forms were completed adding further information that his birthplace was Shepparton, Vic and weighed 76.3kgs (168lbs) with a chest expansion of 92-98cms (36-38½ins). Complexion was fair with blue eyes and brown hair and distinctive marks were four vaccination scars on his right arm and a mole on the outside of the right arm. Religious faith was Methodist. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Joseph Henry Knight of Maling Street, Canterbury, Vic. He signed and took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ on April, 20, 1917.
He entered the Recruits’ Battalion at Broadmeadows camp, near Melbourne, Vic on April 21, 1917 for basic training until May 14 then was granted final home leave from May 17 to May 21. Relocated to the Engineers’ Reinforcement camp at Seymour, Vic. continued training until July 10 then was sent to the Engineer Reinforcements’ camp at Moore Park, Sydney for further training before returning to Seymour camp on August 8, 1917 and assigned to the June, 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. In preparation for departure his Will was noted to have been lodged with R.G. Shegog, Solicitor, Commercial Street, Korumbunna, Vic. His rank was sapper with the regimental number 8203 and on September 26, 1917 was promoted to Lance Corporal.
He married in 1917 to Emily Mabel Lade and she became his next-of-kin with her address at Shellcot Road, Korumburra, Vic.
L/Cpl Knight was one of 130 Reinforcements who departed Melbourne, Victoria at noon on November 26, 1917 aboard the SS Indarra. At 10.15 p.m. the ship arrived at Albany, W.A. on November 30 and departed at 2.10 p.m. on December 1, 1917. Colombo was reached by December 13 at 10.30 a.m. and departed two days later at 8.30 a.m. on December 15. Christmas Day was specially provided for by the ship and religious services were held on board. The troops disembarked at the Suez at 7 a.m. December 27, 1917. Amusements such as sports and cricket between various troop decks took place with some competitive teams made up of officers. Occasionally a religious service was held during the week. Weather was excellent and warm in the tropics.
The troops were transhipped to HMT Kashgar on January 9, 1918 and arrived at Taranto, Italy on January 20, 1918. L /Cpl Knight was admitted to hospital while the troops were entrained at Bordighira, Italy about January 27 entering Cherbourg, France on January 31, 1918 where they boarded H.M.T. Mona’s Queen and disembarked at Southampton on February 2, 1918. The men were entrained to Parkhouse camp and marched into No. 3 Details camp the same day. He arrived at the camp on February 15 as a Sapper where he was appointed E.D.P Corporal (extra duty pay) until they proceeded overseas.
On April 8, 1918 they proceeded via Southampton to France arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles a day later. Ten days later they marched into the Aust Corps Depot at Caestre and Sapper Knight was assigned to the 1st Tunnelling Company in the field on April 19, 1918.
His civil qualifications of electrical engineer were more beneficial to the work of the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company therefore was transferred on Supernumerary strength with the company on May 23, 1918.
Service continued without incident and was taken on strength on August 1, 1918.
He was with the company when Peace was declared and they remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies for those rehabilitating the various areas.
He was issued with his last pay in France on December 24, 1918.
Leave from France was granted from March 17 to March 31, 1919.
Orders were received to prepare for demobilisation and report to the Base Depot. On April 30, 1919 they departed France crossing the English Channel and marched into the No.1 Group camp the following day.
After demobilisation Sapper Knight was assigned to depart for Australia on the H.T. Ormonde on June 16, 1919. Sergeant E.G. ‘Hughie’ Dodd was in the same company and kept a diary of his work during his time in France and mentions their departure as follows:
June 16
Bill Davies, Lieut. Norfolk, with about 40 men of the Coy marched out with 37 Quota at 6 this morning for Devonport, sailing at 4 o'clock this afternoon by the Ormonde.
His wife was advised by Base Records on July 17, 1919 that her husband was on his way home. His name was listed among the troops returning published in:
The ship docked in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) on August 1, 1919 and their welcome was reported in:
Military Discharge was issued in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) on August 23, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment. Later that year he was residing at Shellcots Road, Korumburra, Vic with the occupation of electrical engineer.
The British War Medal (71483) and the Victory Medal (68243) were issued for service for his country to Sapper Henry Knight, 1st Tunnelling Company / Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company.
The War medal was received by registered post and receipted by him on March 18, 1922 and the Victory medal on October 28, 1922.
In 1924 their residence was at Iona, Euston Road, Oakleigh where he was working as an electrical engineer. In 1931 they were at 15A Atherton Road, Oakleigh and in 1936/37 at Saxon Street, Numurkah. The following appeared in the newspaper while living there:
From 1942 to 1949 they were at Hume Street, Wodonga with him registered as an electrician. His name is listed in the Wodonga Directory published in the:
When retirement came went to 33 Jackson Street, La Trobe, Vic.
A Statement of Service was requested from the Melbourne branch of the Repatriation Commission and sent by Base Records on May 10, 1951.
Henry Knight passed away on December 17, 1968 at the age of 82 years at Royal General Hospital Heidelberg, Victoria.
© Donna Baldey 2013