Charles Ernest Knight

Enlisted 6 September 1914 and was on the Western Front by 23 February 1915. He died of wounds and is buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery (grave ref IV.C.54). Lance-Corporal Charles Ernest Knight Worksop Guardian 29 October 1915 Those who move in scholastic circles will hear with profound regret of the first casualty to members of their profession in Worksop. The distressing news comes to hand that Lance-Corporal Charles Ernest Knight, 5th Leicestershire Regiment, a Worksop school teacher, has died as a result of wounds sustained in action in France. Lance-Corporal Knight was a native of Uppingham, Rutlandshire, and came to Worksop about two years ago as one of the masters of St John’s Boys School. He had worked in the town for about a year when the Kaiser waged war upon the world. With commendable and practical patriotism he enlisted as soon as the call for recruits was made by Lord Kitchener and donned khaki as early as the commencement of September 1914. For six months he had fought nobly and well. He fought with the pluck, valour, determination and bravery of the seasoned soldier but the price of victory, liberty and honour is very great. He has fallen in the fight, and the only consolation to his relatives and friends is that, Charles has not died in vain. The unfortunate intelligence is conveyed by Mr George Smith, the popular headmaster of St John’s School, who have received the news from Lance-Corporal Knight’s parents. Details of the fighting preceding that which ended poor Knight’s career are not to hand. He lived as a steady and well conducted young man, and that he died as such we have not the slightest doubt. As we have said, he only actually resided in Worksop about a year, but during that time he made a large number of friends among whom he enjoyed much popularity. He was an accomplished cricketer playing for the first eleven of the Worksop Town Club and being a member of the side which won the “Worksop Guardian” cup. On at least two occasions he won victory for his side when defeat seemed imminent. The members of the club will sincerely deplore his loss. Still he died a noble death, a glorious death. He died for “My England, my England” and “Who dies if England lives, who lives if England falls?”. He was only 24 years of age. A memorial service was held at St John’s Church on Wednesday night, the Rev J H Bligh officiating. Lance-Corpl Knight Worksop Guardian 5 November 1915 We are indebted to the proprietors of the “Grantham Journal” for the portrait block of the late Lance-Corpl Knight, 5th Leicesters who as stated in our last issue, died from wounds sustained in the fighting in France. Prior to enlisting Lance-Corpl Knight was an assistant master at St John’s Boys School, Worksop. He was a native of Uppingham and was one of the first six of the county to obtain a County Council Junior Scholarship. Proceeding to Stamford Grammer School for two years he obtained a senior scholarship which gave him another three years. After that he returned to his old school as a student teacher for one year. On passing the Board of Education’s Certificate Examination he obtained his late appointment in Worksop. In a letter to his parents, the Chaplain states that Knight was badly shot in the arm and poisoning set in. The doctors amputated his arm and hoped to save his life, but it was no good, and he died quite peacefully, and in no pain at 10 o’clock on the morning of October the 16th. The Chaplain adds:- “ I have buried him in the little English cemetery here.” Writing to the Editor, Mr C F Sneath, a Worksop friend of the deceased soldier says:-“ I have known him since he was a child and followed his career with great interest and can testify to all the kind things said about him.”

Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council register of employees who served (Nottinghamshire Archives ref CC CL 2/12/1/1) Entries in Worksop St Johns Boys’ School Log 1904-1924 (Nottinghamshire Archives SL196 8/2): Nov 3rd 1913 – Mr Charles Ernest Knight, born January 16th 1891, student teacher, Uppingham Church of England Mixed 1908-09. Registered 12/1923, commenced duty in this school. Nov 7th 1913 – the following transfer of teachers was made Nov 3rd [schedule] Std III Mr C E Knight (new). April 24th 1914 – Staff for school year commencing April 13th [schedule] Chas E Knight C Std III. Sept 9th 1914 – Mr Charles E Knight ceased to be on the staff from this date having enlisted into HM Army. Nottinghamshire County Council minutes of Education Committee Elementary, 25 January 1916, Item 20 'Supply of Teachers': 'The committee regret to say that C E Knight, a Certificated Assistant on the staff of the Worksop Street St John’s Boys School, has been killed in action in France.' Commemorated on Uppingham war memorial (WMA 14814).