Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albine Knapp, a Hackney carriage proprietor, born 1861 in Eaton, Leicestershire and his wife Susannah Knapp (nee Poyzer, formerly Harrison), a carrier, born 1850 in Stathern, Leicestershire. Albine was born in the 3rd quarter of 1893 in Stathern, in March 1901 the family home was at Stathern. In April 1911 Albine was absent from the family home in Stathern, residing there was his father, a grazier and his mother, a carrier and cheese maker. Albine’s mother married Edwin Harrison on the 13th September 1876 at St. Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield Yorkshire, and they had a son, Arthur Poyzer Harrison, born 1877 in Stathern. Albine had an older sister, Maritana Lucy Poyzer, born 1886 in Stathern. Albine was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 21-24 Mar-18 – SAULCOURT. Operations from 21st to 24th March are given in detail in attached copy of Report on Operations “A.”
The following officers were with the Battalion at the commencement:-
Headquarters: Major J. H. COLES (Commanding). Captain A. H. EWING (Adjutant). 2nd Lieutenant G. S. MANSFIELD (L.G.O.). 2nd Lieutenant J. N. STEPHENSON (Signals Officer). 2nd Lieutenant G. R. WARE (Intelligence).
“A” Company: Lieutenant T. A. C. STOCKHAM. 2nd Lieutenant A. WALTER. 2nd Lieutenant J. SANDS. 2nd Lieutenant W. C. VALENTINE.
“B” Company: Captain C. L. V. MACMAHON. 2nd Lieutenant H. C. MICKLETHWAITE. 2nd Lieutenant N. E. GASSON. 2nd Lieutenant C. H. FUNNELL.
“C” Company: Lieutenant G. N. WAITE. 2nd Lieutenant P. WADSWORTH. 2nd Lieutenant F. C. WILSON. 2nd Lieutenant F. JACKSON.
“D” Company: Captain M. B. STEPHENSON. Lieutenant N. VICKERS. 2nd Lieutenant H. W. SHEFFIELD.
Lieutenant E. J. ANDREW took charge of the nucleus. With the Transport Lieutenant & Quartermaster BILLINGHURST. 2nd Lieutenant J. H. KEECH and 2nd Lieutenant NICHOLLS (Transport Officer).
During the night of 22nd/23rd the following officers joined the Battalion in the GREEN LINE:- Lieutenant E. J. ANDREW. 2nd Lieutenant A. TATLOW. 2nd Lieutenant R. YATES with some stragglers and 20 other ranks of nucleus.
Strength of Battalion at commencement of the action, 20 officers, 551 other ranks.
Casualties: Killed officers 4, other ranks 38. Wounded, wounded and missing, officers 12, other ranks 353.
Owing to the withdrawals and absence of hospital returns it is impossible to separate above headings.
Details of officer casualties:-
Killed 2nd Lieutenant G. S. MANSFIELD. 2nd Lieutenant A. WALTER. 2nd Lieutenant P. WADSWORTH. 2nd Lieutenant H. W. SHEFFIELD.
Missing:- Captain C. L. V. MACMAHON. Lieutenant T. A. C. STOCKHAM.
Wounded and Missing:- Lieutenant N. VICKERS. Lieutenant E. J. ANDREW. Lieutenant G. N. WAITE. 2nd Lieutenant J. N. STEPHENSON. 2nd Lieutenant N. E. GASSON.
Wounded:- 2nd Lieutenant J. SANDS. 2nd Lieutenant H. C. MICKLETHWAITE. 2nd Lieutenant F. C. WILSON. 2nd Lieutenant C. H. FUNNELL. 2nd Lieutenant F. JACKSON.

APPENDIX “A”
Report on Operations 21.3.18 to 6.0 pm 25.3.18.
1st Battalion The East Yorkshire Regt.
Report on Operations 21/3/18 to 6.0 p.m. 25/3/18.
21st – 4.30 am. Enemy bombardment opened on back areas. The Battalion was in SOARER CAMP, SAULCOURT. Of the two Companies lent to 110th Brigade, “B” Company had already moved out into positions near YELLOW LINE, but “A” Company, who were just moving out, were caught in the shelling and suffered some casualties.
The rest of the Battalion took cover in the slits round the huts in SOARER CAMP ready to move.
11.50 am. Moved to positions in BROWN LINE on receipt of orders from 110th Brigade. These orders were almost immediately cancelled and the Battalion moved to a position of readiness SOUTH EAST of SAULCOURT WOOD leaving observation posts in BROWN LINE. About this time (1.00 pm) the bombardment slackened.
4.15 pm. Again moved to BROWN LINE on receipt of orders from 110th Brigade. Found no one on our right as far as CAPRON COPSE, which was held by ROYAL ENGINEERS Company requested to be -?- the 98th, so extended to get in touch with them. As soon as darkness fell a Brigade of 39th Division came up and dug a defensive flank from JEAN COPSE to South East corner of SAULCOURT WOOD. Arranged with the Commanding Officer 16th (?) Battalion RIFLE BRIGADE for mutual support if required.
22nd – During the morning 16th Division on our right seen to withdraw thus leaving our right flank in the air. Pushed out Officers patrols to CAPRON COPSE and VILLERS FAUCON and withdrew my right to join up with the 39th Division at JEAN COPSE. Some shelling on our positions. Remains of “A” and “B” Companies rejoined from 110th Brigade and were put into the left of Battalions lines on North East of SAULCOURT. These were in position by 2.30 pm. Six Machine Guns reported and took up position in our line.
During the afternoon the enemy were seen massing for attack all along our front and right flank as far as VILLERS FAUCON. This was reported to the 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY at 3.45 pm who were asked to notify Brigade.
About this time our Artillery shelled left Battalion 39th Division in reply to S.O.S. causing a number of these to run back into the trenches of my right Company (“C” Company).
Lieutenant WAITE Commanding “C” Company pushed up his reserve platoon into the flank position thus vacated. During this period enemy Machine Gun fire was very heavy on our line from the ridge CAPRON COPSE – VILLERS FAUCON making communication and command very difficult. Enemy were now reported to be working down VILLERS FAUCON - -?- ROAD so 98th Field Company sent a party to hold South edge of SAULCOURT ROAD.
5.00 pm. Enemy came on in large numbers -?- our right and the men of the 39th Division who were then mixed up with my right Company streamed back along our trenches carrying many men of the Company with them.
The remainder of the two right Companies “C” and “D” were now driven into the village and I had to order Lieutenant MANSFIELD who was holding a hedge with men of Battalion Headquarters to withdraw. This was about 5.30 pm.
The enemy pushed through the village and into AMBUSH CAMP on the heels of the party and brought a heavy Machine Gun fire to bear across the open ground.
The posts at North East end of the village put up a very strong resistance and no Officer got away, only isolated parties of men working their way back.
I tried to get across to Officer Commanding 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY in GUYANCOURT to inform him of the situation but was cut off by advancing enemy and had to abandon the attempt.
The Battalion was reformed at Brigade Headquarters at the quarry at LONGAVESNES and withdrew and occupied positions in the GREEN LINE being in positions by nightfall from KING COPSE on right to D.30.c.1.7 where we were in touch with 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY.
On right we were in touch with a Battalion of K.?.?. (39th Division).
During the night gaps in the line were filled in and trenches improved. Enemy patrols reached our wire but were driven off with loss of one prisoner. Nucleus party joined during the night.
23rd – As soon as it was light enemy very active sniping. About 8.00 am thick fog came on and enemy advanced to attack but was driven with heavy losses by Machine Gun, Lewis Gun and Rifle fire.
Lance Corporal HARDY brought in one Machine Gun from our wire and then went out again with Lieutenant J. N. STEPHENSON (EAST YORKSHIRE) and Major GREENWOOD (9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY) and brought in another Machine Gun, identifications from dead Huns and prisoners 1 Officer 3 Other Ranks.
9.30 am. Orders received to withdraw to line of HARRIS and MESSERITE Trench.
Fog lifted and enemy swept over ground South of TEMPLEUX LA FOSSE with very heavy Machine Gun fire inflicting many casualties.
A party under Sergeant THOMAS held on for about 3 minutes after remainder had gone as he had not received orders to withdraw. This party did excellent service in covering the movement. The Battalion reassembled in front of COPSE J.4. Central but in withdrawing from there in artillery formation came under a heavy barrage and the various platoons lost touch. Owing to the very short time that had elapsed between the issue of instructions for withdrawal and the order to move, platoons had not received these, and when I reached the line allotted I had only a very small party and could not get in touch with anyone on either flank. I withdrew slowly out to 39th Division reporting what I knew of situation to General Officer Commanding at advanced Divisional Headquarters. As I was out of touch with the Brigade I placed myself at his disposal and was ordered to take up a position guarding his left and overlooking MAUTE ALLAINE in I.11.
I had not been in position quarter of an hour when I heard that 39th Division had started to withdraw towards MONT ST. QUENTIN. As I hoped to get in touch with Brigade again I moved to Cross Roads I.3.c where I met the Brigadier General Commanding and was ordered to take up positions on left of 15th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY in C.26.d at 2.30 pm.
9th Division were on our left and 39th on right of our Brigade. Soon ordered to withdraw as 39th had left MONT ST. QUENTIN.
The Brigade withdrew to BOUCHAVESNES – CLERY COPSE Ridge the Battalion being on the left of the Brigade near ROADWOOD and in touch with second line R on our left.
Our strength at this time was 8 Officers 80 Other Ranks.
Quiet night.
24th – Bright clear morning, one attack up to 9.00 am when I heard from Officer Commanding 2nd LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT on our left that he was outflanked and was withdrawing, so had to withdraw also. The next position to be held was B.23.d.29. On arrival there I found that except for Officer Commanding 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY with about 8 men and a few details of other Brigades (not more than 20), he had no one on either flank and that the enemy were coming on in very large numbers and with great determination. After keeping up a heavy fire for about 10 or 15 minutes, I decided in conjunction with Officer Commanding 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY to withdraw towards SUMMIT COPSE in H.2.a.
On arrival there about 11.00 am found 35th Division passing through to counter-attack and as their attack appeared to be progressing favourably withdrew behind the crest to rest the men who were very tired.
Got in touch after some delay with Brigade Headquarters at HEM STATION and in evening received orders to move to billets at SUZANNE.
25th – 6.30 am. Marched to BRAY-SUR-SOMME and joined transport.
Signed J. H. Coles, Major
1st Bn. East York. Regt.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “STATHERN.” – MISSING. – Official information has been received by Mr. A. Knapp, that his son, Pte. Albine Knapp, has been missing since 22nd March. We trust that better news may soon be heard of him.