Private 15696

13^th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers

Died Tuesday 4^th July 1916

Grave ref. Pier and Face 10 B. 11 B. 12 B. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

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Ernest Knight was born in about 1892 the son of Edward Knight a coal miner and Amelia (nee Roberts) who were living at Top Row, Pye Hill from before 1881 until at least 1915. His father Edward originated from Ramsholt, Suffolk and Ernest's mother was born in Codnor.  Married in 1877, Edward and Amelia had a number of children :-  Arthur born 1879; John born 1881; Jane born 1883; Edward born 1887; Albert born 1898 and Frank born 1900.  For many years the family lived next door to Amelia's father - John Roberts who was a colliery deputy and in 1901 Ernest and his brother Edward actually lived next door with their grandfather.

A ‘Free Press’ Newspaper account suggests that Ernest was killed in action on the 1st July 1916, but The War Graves Commission have recorded date of death as the Tuesday 4th July 1916. He was wounded in October 1915 but returned to the battlefields of France in Christmas 1915.  

Two other local servicemen were also named Knight - R/N089357 Sgt George Henry Knight, ASC Remounts, of Sedgwick Street, Jacksdale who is recorded on The Absent Voters Roll of 1918, but is not recorded on the Jacksdale Memorial. And Private F Knight, who is shown on the Jacksdale Memorial as having served. F Knight could possibly be Ernest's younger brother Frank.

Private Ernest Knight is one of nine Jacksdale & Westwood casualties commemorated at The Thiepval Memorial, France, memorial to 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20^th March 1918, and have no known grave. Ernest Knight is commemorated on Pier & Faces 10B, 11B & 12B.