Arthur George Knight
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Arthur George Knight VC (June 26, 1886, born near Lewes, Sussex, England- September 3, 1918), was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Knight was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on September 2, 1918. The other six Victoria Cross recipients were Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney, William Metcalf, John Francis Young, Walter Leigh Rayfield, Bellenden Hutcheson and Cyrus Wesley Peck.
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[edit] Details
He was 32 years old, and an acting sergeant in the Tenth Battalion, CEF during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 2 September 1918 at Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France, when a bombing section which he was leading was held up, Sergeant Knight went forward alone, bayoneting several machine-gunners and trench mortar crews, and forcing the rest to retire. Then bringing forward a Lewis gun he directed his fire on the retreating enemy; his platoon went in pursuit and the sergeant, seeing about 30 of the enemy going into a tunnel leading off the trench, again went forward alone, killing an officer and two NCOs and taking 20 prisoners. After this, again single-handed, he routed another hostile party. Later he was fatally wounded.
[edit] Further information
He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his actions.
Grave/memorial at Buried at dominion Cemetery, France. 10m SE of Arras. Plot I. Row F. Grave 15. Headstone.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Glenbow Museum (Calgary, Alberta, Canada).
[edit] External links
- ARTHUR GEORGE KNIGHT history of the Tenth Battalion in the First World War include biography of Arthur George Knight
- Legion Magazine-The Magnificent Seven
