John Arthur Knowles (57)
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John Arthur Knowles was the son of Harry and Frances Knowles and the brother of Harry and Joseph Knowles. In 1891, they lived at 224, Alfreton Road, Radford, Nottingham. In 1906, John married Lily Maude Lang at Nottingham and they had three children by 1911 – Lily Grace, John Arthur and Lily Maude. They lived firstly at 11, Milk Street, Glasshouse Street and then 17, Norland Street, St Ann’s Well Road (both Nottingham) by 1915 when John joined the army. By 1921, they had moved to 35, Norland Road, St Ann’s, Nottingham. Three more children had been added to the family – Ernest, Gladys and Joseph. At the time of John Arthur’s death in 1941, their home was at 10, Cary Cottages, Hawthorn Street, Meadows, Nottingham.
Nottingham’s heaviest loss of life at a single location during May 9th 1941’s air raid occurred within the Co-op Bakery on Meadow Lane where 49 night shift workers perished. The bakery was hit twice; one bomb caused tons of flour stored on upper floors to crash down to ground level. A second device penetrated the bakery’s air raid shelter roof before exploding amongst the assembled work force. Rescue efforts were impeded by blazing fat. For an excellent account of this incident, see David Needham, Battle of the Flames, Nottingham’s Fight for Survival in WWII (2nd Ed. Chesterfield: Banister Publications Ltd, 2020 p.p. 141-142. First Ed. Horizon Press, 2009). Standing 5’2” tall, John Arthur Knowles attested 31/3/1915 and served (19162) initially with 15th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, a reserve unit. He was soon promoted to corporal. Later in 1915, he was transferred to the Royal Engineers (265316) and released to work in munitions production with Fletcher’s of Derby. Early in 1918, he was posted to the BEF (WR 508546), probably at the French end of the Richborough railway operation. Knowles’s civilian engine driving experience may have influenced his posting. Suffering from TB, he was discharged ‘in poor health’ 3/10/18 and awarded a weekly pension of 11/-. His military character was ‘very good’. (Source JA Knowles’s Army Service Record)
Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: KNOWLES, John. My dear husband, killed by enemy action May 8th-9th 1941. Resting where no shadows fall. From loving wife. KNOWLES, John – In loving memory of my dear father, killed by enemy action May 8th-9th. Always in our thoughts. – From your loving daughter Lily, Albert, grandchildren, Ken, Derek. Grave Reference: Wilford Hill: G30/11 Buried May 26th 1941.
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