Arthur George Knight
Sergeant, 10th Battalion. Alberta Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 702 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant (register: Acting Sergeant) all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 10th Battalion. Alberta Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force (register: 10th Battalion, CEF) all CEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 2 September 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 15th November, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 26th June, 1886 at Haywards Heath, Sussex
- Died
- of wounds on 3rd September, 1918 at Villers-les-Cagnicourt,
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Dominion Cemetery, France
Digest of citation
On 2nd September, 1918 at Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France, after an unsuccessful attack, the bombing section which she was leading was held up by the enemy. Sergeant Knight went forward alone, bayoneted several machine-gunners and trench mortar crews which caused the remainder to retire. He brought forward a Lewis gun and directed the fire on the retreating enemy. Whilst his platoon went off in pursuit, he saw about 30 of the enemy going into a tunnel leading off the trench. Again, alone, he went forward, killing one officer and two NCOs and taking 20 twenty. Following this, yet again single-handed, he routed another hostile party. On each occasion he displayed the greatest Valour under extreme conditions of fire. His example of courage of the gallantry and initiative was an inspiration to all. A short while later he was fatally wounded
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KNIGHT, Arthur George. (reg No. 702).
Sergeant. 10th Battalion. Alberta Regiment. Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 15th November, 1918.
Born on 26th June, 1886 at Haywards Heath, Sussex.
Died of wounds on 3rd September, 1918 at Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France.
Memorial on grave at Dominion Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 2nd September, 1918 at Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France, after an unsuccessful attack, the bombing section which she was leading was held up by the enemy. Sergeant Knight went forward alone, bayoneted several machine-gunners and trench mortar crews which caused the remainder to retire. He brought forward a Lewis gun and directed the fire on the retreating enemy. Whilst his platoon went off in pursuit, he saw about 30 of the enemy going into a tunnel leading off the trench. Again, alone, he went forward, killing one officer and two NCOs and taking 20 twenty. Following this, yet again single-handed, he routed another hostile party. On each occasion he displayed the greatest Valour under extreme conditions of fire. His example of courage of the gallantry and initiative was an inspiration to all. A short while later he was fatally wounded.
Additional information:. No. 426402 Sergeant Knight also held the Croix de Guerre of France. He joined the 46th Battalion at Regina in Decembewr 1914, being with the 10th Battalion when he won his Victoria Cross. He was a carpenter by trade.
Additional information
No. 426402 Sergeant Knight also held the Croix de Guerre of France. He joined the 46th Battalion at Regina in Decembewr 1914, being with the 10th Battalion when he won his Victoria Cross. He was a carpenter by trade.
France.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Dominion Cemetery, France
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