George William Knighton
1901 - serving with the 1st Notts (Robin Hood) Rifles. Attested 16 March 1901 in the 4th Battalion Derbyshire Regiment. Posted and served in South Africa, discharged 27 May 1902 (Service: 1 year 11 days).
1911 - shop keeper (fish and chips) on his own account
- Family History
- Military history
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George William was the son of Charles William and Ruth Knighton (née Hurdis).
Both parents were born in Nottingham, Charles William in 1859 and Ruth in 1861. They were married at Sneinton St Luke on 26 December in 1879 and had five sons, all born in Sneinton: George William birth registered 1880 (JFM), John b. May 1882, Charles b. 1884 (JAS), Thomas Hurdis b. 1888 JAS and Harold Robert Henry b. 1895 (JAS).
In 1881, Charles, a stone labourer, his wife, a stocking hand, and their first child, George, were lodging at 9 Derby Terrace, Nottingham, in the home of William and Ann Shelton.
Charles and his wife had moved to St Stephen's Gardens, Sneinton, by 1891: Charles, a general labourer, Ruth, a stocking hand, and their four sons, George, John, Charles and Thomas. Their fifth son, Harold, was born four years later.
The family was recorded at 42 Kentwood Road, Sneinton in 1901: Charles a street pavior, Ruth, John a hosiery maker, Charles a brickmaker, Thomas a bricklayer's labourer and Harold who was school age. The eldest son, George, had joined the Army and was serving in South Africa.
By 1911 Charles a stone paviour (Nottingham Corporation) and Ruth were living at 1 Colwick Crossings, Nottingham. Only their youngest son Harold, a 'points lad' on the trams, was still living at home.
Charles William died in May 1913 aged 55. His widow Ruth was living at 55 Manvers Street, Sneinton, at the time of her death in July 1926. Probate was awarded to her sons, John and Thomas, both framework knitters.
George William, who had been discharged from the Army in 1902, married Lilly Kelly on 2 June 1904; George was then living at 40 Kentwood Road and Lilly at No. 28. The couple were living at 55 Manvers Street, Nottingham, in 1911; George was a shop keeper (fish and chips) on his own account, and they employed a live-in female general domestic servant. A report of his funeral in the local paper recorded that he was 'formerly a conductor on the city tramways' suggesting that he either changed his employment after 1911 or perhaps also continued to manage the business.
John married Ada Bird (b. 1882) in 1906 and they had two children, John Wilfred Bird (b. 1906) and Irene A. (b. 1914). In 1911 John, a framework knitter, his wife and their son John, were living at 7 Colwick Crossing. Their son died aged nine in November 1915. John and Ada were living at 40 Kentwood Road, Sneinton, when the 1939 England and Wales Register was compiled. In the home was their daughter Irene (later Harrison), a linen cutter. John died in 1951 and his widow Ada in 1955. They were survived by their married daughter, Irene (d. 1991, N. Tyneside.
Charles married Mabel Howard Vincent (b. 1880) at Southampton St James on 20 June 1913 following his discharge from the Army. They had three children who were born in Bournemouth (reg. Christchurch): John Charles Howard b. 1914, Ruth E b. 1916 and Phullis N. b. Jan. 1921. In 1939, Charles, an 'acid worker' (heavy labour), his wife and their three children, John a furniture salesman, and Ruth and Phyllis, both draper's assistants, were living on Portman Road, Bournemouth. Charles died in 1952; he was still living on Portman Road. His son John, was awarded probate.
Thomas Hurdis married Annie Stanley in 1909 and in 1911 they and their daughters Marjorie (1) and Hilda May (u/1m) were living at 34 Kentwood Road, Sneinton, with Annie's parents and their son Frank. Thomas, a waterworks pipe joiner, and Annie, a hosiery worker, were living on Warren Avenue, Nottingham in 1939. Their daughter Hilda, a saleswoman/telephonist, was still living at home. Thomas died in 1965 and his widow Annie in 1985.
Harold married Mabel Elliott (b. 1884) in 1926 (OND), a few months after his mother's death, and in 1939 he and his wife were living at 129 Linfield Road, Nottingham. Harold was employed in electrical transport maintenance. He died aged 47 in 1943 (reg. JFM) and was survived by his wife (d. 1957).
George William Knighton was a veteran of the Boer War. He was serving in the 1st Notts (Robin Hood) Rifles then attested in the 4th Battalion Derbyshire Regiment on 6 February 1901, He was 21 years old, trade mason. He named his parents and brother John, of 42 Kentwood Road, as his next of kin.
Service: Home 6 February 1901-15 March 1901, 38d. South Africa 16 March 1901-26 May 1902, 1y 72d. Home 27 May 1902-27 May 1902, 1d. Total 1y 111d. He was discharged at his own request on his return from South Africa. George qualified for the South Africa Medal.
George served with 'A' Bty, 152nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
George died of pneumonia on 15 May 1915 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 19 May (grave ref. 9614 B).
Two of George's brothers, Harold and Charles, also served in the Great War:
Harold Robert Henry Knighton, aged 20y 4m, a fish salesman, of 55 Manvers Street, Nottingham, enlisted on 25 October 1915 at Nottingham. He named his mother, Ruth, of the same address, as his next of kin. He was posted to the Army Service Corps (DM2/135179) and reported for duty at the depot at Osterley Park on 30th October 1915. He embarked in SS Viper from Southampton on 1st December 1916 and disembarked Le Havre the following day. Harold served throughout the war with 102 Petrol Company Army Service Corps and was demobilised at Woolwich Dockyard to Class ‘Z’ Reserves on 26 August 1919, home address 40 Kentwood Road, Sneinton.
Charles Knighton enlisted in the Royal Regiment of Artillery (Royal Garrison Artillery) at Nottingham on 8 January 1903 on a 12 year Short Service Engagement (3 years with the Colours, 9 years in the Reserve). He was 18 years old, trade brickmaker. He named his parents and brothers George and John of 40 Kentwood Road, Sneinton, as his next of kin (replaced in 1913 by his wife, Mabel Howard Knighton).
Charles joined at Scarborough on 10 January 1903 then on 8 January 1904, while on Home service, extended his service to complete 8 years with the Colours (ie. to 1911).
Appointed acting Bombardier 22 April 1907. Promoted Bombardier 7 September 1909.
He transferred to the Army Reserve on 7 June 1911 then was mobilised at Plymouth on 5 August 1914 and posted the same day. Appointed Bombardier 20 August 1914. Promoted Coporal 25 August 1914. Promoted Sergeant 15 January 1915.
Service: Home 8 January 1903-4 December 1904, 1y 331d. India 5 December 1904-6 January 1911, 6y 33d. Home 7 January 1911-16 September 1914, 3y 253d. France 17 September 1914-8 January 1916, 1y 113d. Home 9 January 1916-14 January 1916, 6d. Total 13y 7d.
Campaigns: Home 5 August 1914-16 September 1914. BEF France 17 September-8 January 1916. Home 9 January 1916-14 January 1916. Charles was discharged at Gosport (Sergeant).
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 16&17 May 1913: Knighton. On the 15th inst., at the General Hospital, Charles William, the beloved husband of Ruth Knighton, aged 55 yers. Interment General Cemetery, bottom end, 1.30 Monday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). Also ‘In Memoriam’ notices, 14 May 1914, from wife and children and 14&15 May 1915, from wife and sons.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 15 & 17 May 1915: ‘Knighton. Sergeant George William Knighton RFA, aged 35 years, husband of Lily, 55 Manvers Street. Interment at Waverley Street [Nottingham General Cemetery].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 18 May 1915: ‘Knighton. Sergeant George William Knighton, Royal Field Artillery, aged 35 years, beloved husband of Lily, 55, Manvers-street. Interment Waverley-street, 3 o’clock, Wednesday’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 19th May 1915: 'Nottm Soldier's Death. Public Sympathy at the funeral.'
'A striking demonstration of public sympathy was associated with the funeral, with military honours, of Sergeant George William Knighton, a popular non-commissioned officer in the local R.F.A. unit, which took place at the Nottingham General Cemetery this afternoon [19th May 1915]. Formerly a conductor on the city tramways, he saw service in the South African war with Robin Hoods, for which he possessed a medal with five clasps. He was 35 years old, the cause of his death being pneumonia.
'The cortege left the house of the deceased in Manvers-street, headed by the Nottingham Salvation Army Band, under Bandmaster W. Vickers, and en route to the cemetery a funeral march was played. Amongst those in attendance were a number of the deceased's old comrades, including Privates E. Ward and J. W. Hunt, who were with him in the Boer campaign, while two batteries of the R.F.A.. under Lieut. Simpson, paraded in line. The coffin was borne by the following N.C.O.s of the R.F.A.: Sergts. Harrison, Hallam, Turnbull, Healam, James, McClements, and Riddle. After the committal service a firing party from the Robin Hoods, in charge of Coy.-Sgt.-Major Earl, discharged three volleys, and the 'Last Post' was sounded by a Robin Hood bugle party, in charge of Bugle-Major Machin.'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Probate; Knighton George William of 55 Manvers-street Nottingham fish dealer died 15 May 1915 Administration Nottingham 2 July to Lily Knighton widow. Effects £86 19s. 10d.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 3 November 1915: ‘Knighton. On November 2nd, at Basford Sanitorium, JWB Knighton, only son of Jack and Ada Knighton, aged 9 years and 3 months. Peace after pain.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 5 November 1915: ‘Knighton. On November 2nd, at Basford Sanitorium, JWB Knighton, only son of Jack and Ada Knighton, aged 9 years and 3 months. Peace after pain.’ Funeral Carlton, Saturday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 5&6 July 1926: ‘Knighton. July 4th, 55 Manvers-street, Ruth, widow of the late Charles Knighton, aged 64, passed peacefully away. Service St. Philip’s Church, 1o’clock tomorrow (Wednesday), interment General Cemetery (bottom end, 2 o.clock.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Knighton Ruth of 55 Manvers-street Sneinton Nottingham widow died 4 July 1926 Probate Nottingham 23 July [1926] to John Knighton and Thomas Hurdis Knighton framework knitters. Effects £376 6s.
Research by Peter Gillings. Additional research/record updated, RF (Jan. 2026)
George William Knighton
Grave, Nottingham General Cemetery. Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Photo of George William Knighton
Family grave/headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Simon Roots (Jan. 2026)