Name
James Charles Lewis Knight*1
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/10/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
75157
Royal Field Artillery
88th Bty. 14th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CARNOY MILITARY CEMETERY
J. 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial Waltham Cross, Not on the Buntingford memorials, Not on the Anstey memorials
Pre War
James Lewis Charley/Charles Knight was born in Anstey, Hertfordshire, in 1894, son of Frederick Knight a, Brewers Labourer and Emma Knight (nee Richardson). One of five children although one died in infancy.
He was registered as Lewis Charles at birth, it is not known when James was added, possible when he enlisted in the army ?.
1901 Census records James as Lewis Charley, aged 6, living with his grandparents Richard & Mary Richardson at, New Barns, Anstey, Herts. His parents are living at, 26 Affleck Street, Clerkenwell, Lon/Middx, with his 1-month-old brother Frederick Knight.
1911 Census records James as Lewis aged 16, working as a Labourer, living with his parents, sisters Alice (8) and Florrie (3) at, 29 Eleanor Road, Waltham Cross, Herts. His father is now working as a Carman. They had a boarder Eliza Cook, a Music Teacher.
In 1912 brother Joseph Knight was born at Waltham Cross, Herts.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war, we believe James was a serving soldier with the Royal Field Artillery with the service number 75157. He arrived in France on the 23rd August 1914, seeing action on the Western Front.
He died on the 6th October 1916, of wounds received in action, during the Battle of the Somme. (Battle of the Somme 1st July – 18th November 1916).
At the time of his death, he was serving with the 88th Battery of the 14th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
Additional Information
His mother Emma received a Dependents Pension of 3/6, a week from 15th October 1917, and his effects of £20-16-8, pay Owing and his war gratuity of £12-10-00.
*1 He is recorded as J L C Knight, on the Holy Trinity Memorial and T L C Knight, on the Cheshunt Town Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Kate Thompson, Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Carol Emery
