Bernard Frank Knight 1896-1916
Frank and Lucie Knight had 4 children sadly only 2 survived, Bernard and his young brother Raymond (born 1910). Frank was a decorator/plumber in Wokingham and Lucie worked as a clerk. They lived at 16 Rose Street in 1911. In 1914 Bernard aged 18 set out for Australia. He travelled from Liverpool to Melbourne to seek a new life.
The war came that year and Bernard joined the Australian Infantry in Brisbane, the 49th Battalion.
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The 49th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 27 February 1916 as part of the “doubling” of the AIF. Approximately half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 9th Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the composition of the 9th, the 49th was predominantly composed of men from Queensland. The battalion became part of the 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division.
Arriving in France on 12 June 1916, the 49th moved into the trenches of the Western Front for the first time on 21 June. It fought in its first major battle at Mouquet Farm in August and suffered heavily, particularly in the assault launched on 3 September. The battalion saw out the rest of the year alternating between front-line duty, and training and labouring behind the line. This routine continued through the bleak winter of 1916-17.
Bernard died on 5th September 1916, but was undoubtedly re-buried after the war in the vast London Road extension cemetery near High Wood. Bernard was 20 years old.
On this web site, there is not often the chance to experience any humour, but the 1911 Census record for the Knight family provides us with such an occassion. Frank, as head of the house would have completed the census form himself. Under occupation, he has described himself as a plumber, his wife Lucie as a typist, Bernard as a scholar and Raymond, their one year old son as ‘The Family Pet’. The Census Official rather humourlessly scored out the description.
Name: KNIGHT, BERNARD FRANK
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Unit Text: 49th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 05/09/1916
Service No: 2729A
Additional information: Son of the late Frank Knight and Lucie Knight, of 16, Rose St., Wokingham Berkshire.
Memorial Reference: 2.J.21. Cemetery: LONDON CEMETERY AND EXTENSION, LONGUEVAL
16 Rose Street, Wokingham Berkshire (parents)