Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Henry Knight, Boots at Falcon Hotel, born in the April quarter of 1857 in Uppingham, Rutland and baptised on the 19th April 1857 in SS. Peter & Paul Church, Uppingham (son of William Knight and Catherine Larratt) and his wife Harriet Adeliza Knight (nee Reeve, married on the 2nd November 1880 in St. Peter’s Church, Belton, Rutland), born in the July quarter of 1857 in Belton and baptised on the 2nd August 1857 in St. Peter’s Church, Belton (daughter of William Reeve and Eleanor Broom). Charles Ernest was born on the 3rd January 1891 in Uppingham, Rutland, his siblings were, Ellen Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 26th February 1883 and baptised on the 8th March 1883 in SS. Peter & Paul Church, Uppingham and William Henry, a schoolboy, born on the 9th January 1885, both his siblings were born in Uppingham, in April 1891 the family home was at Meeting Lane, Uppingham. In March 1901 Charles was residing in the family home at Adderley Street, Uppingham together with his father, Boots at Falcon Hotel, his mother and siblings, Ellen, a dressmaker, William a cabinet maker’s assistant, George Frederick, born on the 9th January 1893 and Gertie Mary (Gertrude), born on the 3rd January 1896, the latter two siblings were both born in Uppingham. In April 1911 Charles was engaged as an elementary school teacher and was residing in the family home at The Unicorn, Uppingham, together with his father, a licensed victualler, his mother and siblings, George, an apprentice confectioner and Gertie, assisting in the home, also residing with the family were Charles’s cousins, George Henry Josiah Reeve, an errand boy, born on the 5th February 1897 in Belton and Arthur James William Uphill, a post office clerk, born on the 8th February 1885 in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire.
As a boy at Uppingham National School, Charles secured one of the first scholarships offered by the Education Committee of the Rutland County Council, and went to Stamford Grammar School, following up his initial success by winning a Senior Rutland Scholarship tenable there. After passing a year as a student teacher in Uppingham National School, he held an appointment as an assistant master at a school in Oxfordshire, and subsequently was engaged as a certificated assistant master at St. John’s School, Worksop in Nottinghamshire, where he enjoyed much popularity. He was a keen and accomplished cricketer, footballer etc.
Charles enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 10th September 1914 in Luton, and was allotted the service number 2336. He gave his age as 23 years 240 days. His trade or calling as schoolmaster. He gave his present address as High Street, Uppingham, Rutland.
His medical examination took place in Luton on the 10th September 1914 and recorded that he was 5 feet 8 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches and his physical development was described as satisfactory.
He gave his next of kin as his father, George Knight, High Street, Uppingham, Rutland.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 10/9/14.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 10/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. 10/9/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid) 21/2/15.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 25/2/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 27/2/15.
Admitted. To hospital suffering from neurasthenia. 5/9/15.
Returned. To duty. 12/9/15.
Admitted. To hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm (amputated). In the field. 13/10/15.
Died of wounds. In the West Riding Casualty Clearing Station. 16/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 10/9/14 – 27/2/15. 171 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 28/2/15 – 16/10/15. 231 days.
Total Service. 1 year 36 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Charles’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
An account of the events of the 12th and 13th October 1915.
On the 12th October 1915 the Battalion marched the ten miles from the village of Hesdigneul to the Redoubt in “fighting order”, with great coats rolled and strapped to their backs. They arrived at 10.00 pm at Vermelles, and the following eight hours were spent packed solid in communication trenches. Each soldier carried six sandbags and every third a shovel. As you could imagine, none of them slept and the lucky ones had a drink before our artillery opened up at noon on the 13th October. The enemy artillery responded fifteen minutes later, and at 1.00 pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00 pm our troops, many wearing gas helmets went “over the top” and bayonet charged the enemy positions. Terrific machine gun fire tore into them and a shrapnel barrage added to the heavy casualties. Hours passed and furious hand to hand fighting took place and repeated bayonet charges drove the enemy back, who in turn counter attacked. After darkness fell Lance Corporal Clayson of the 1/5th Battalion saved many lives by dragging wounded back to our trenches, and Captain Barton spent hours in No Man’s land giving morphine and water to the dying. When food and drink was brought up during the night the men had their first meal for twenty four hours, but still no sleep. The morning of the fourteenth was very misty and this became smog as the Germans continued to use shrapnel and gas shells throughout the day. It was at 8.00 am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1/5th Battalion lost four officers, six wounded, two gassed and thirty five men killed, one hundred and thirty two wounded and twenty two gassed.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At 6.00 am Battalion in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00 pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50 pm. At 2.00 pm assault. 5th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and 4th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGIMENT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by Machine Gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Company officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00 pm “B” Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by “A” and part of “D” Companies. Machine Guns in position along original front line now held by “C” Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lieutenant C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30 pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front line trench. Many of “A” and “B” Companies still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - No main counter attack, but considerable grenade attacks on point 60 and LITTLE WILLIE. Ground held all along the line. During the day Battalion continued to supply grenadiers and carrying parties for the REDOUBT. Enemy shelled with lacrymatory shells and other high explosive during the afternoon. At 11.30pm Battalion relieved by 139th Brigade and proceeded to LANCASHIRE TRENCH.
The War Diary records: 15 Oct-15 - At 2.00 pm half Battalion proceeded by motor lorries to HESDGNEUL. Remainder marched via SAILLY. Casualties during the action were:- Officers killed Captain HASTINGS, Captain LANGDALE, 2nd Lieutenant MOSS, died of wounds Lieutenant LAWTON, wounded 2nd Lieutenant PETCH, 2nd Lieutenant WILLIAMS, 2nd Lieutenant STINCHAM, 2nd Lieutenant WYNNE, 2nd Lieutenant MARRIOTT and 2nd Lieutenant C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Other ranks killed 19, wounded 132, missing 3, died of wounds 3, wounded and missing 10 and gassed 22.
The War Diary records: 16 Oct-15 - HESDIGNEUL. Rest in billets.
On Friday October 22nd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” UPPINGHAM TEACHER’S DEATH. The parents of Lance-Corporal C. E. Knight, 5th Leicesters, received news on Tuesday that their son had died from wounds. In the chaplain’s letter conveying the intimation it was stated that Lance Corporal Knight was badly shot in the arm and poisoning set in. The doctors amputated his arm and hoped to save his life, but it was no good, and he died quite peacefully, and in no pain, at 10 o’clock on the morning of October 16th. The chaplain adds: “I have buried him in the little English cemetery here.” Lance-Corporal Knight, who was aged 24, was liked and esteemed by all, and a promising career has been cut short. Educated at the C.E. School, Uppingham, he was one of the first six in the county to obtain a County Council junior Scholarship. Proceeding to Stamford Grammar School for two years, he obtained a senior scholarship which gave him another three years. After that he returned to his old school as a student teacher for one year. On passing the Board of Education Certificate Examination, he obtained an assistant mastership at Worksop. While on his holidays a year last August he joined the 5th Leicesters. He was a good all round athlete, and adept at most games -?- -?- he -?- particularly at -?- and cricket.
On Thursday, October 21st, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – We regret to record the loss of another Uppinghamian at the front, Lance-Corpl. C. KNIGHT (24), of the 5th Leicester’s, dying from wounds on Saturday last. Chaplain D. B. Kittermaster, whose letter was received by the parents on Tuesday morning, stated that Knight, who was badly shot in the arm, necessitating amputation of the limb, died quite peacefully and in no pain, and he was buried in the English cemetery. Lance-Corpl. Knight was a son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Knight, “Unicorn” Inn, Uppingham, and when the war broke out was a school teacher at Worksop, enlisting in the 5th Leicester’s during his holidays last year. The sympathy of all goes out to the parents in their sad loss.