Thomas Richard (Tom) KNIGHT MM and Bar

KNIGHT, Thomas Richard

    Service Number: 2698
    Enlisted: 20 August 1915, Warwick Farm, NSW
    Last Rank: Sergeant
    Last Unit: 17th Infantry Battalion
    Born: Nyngan, New South Wales, Australia, 25 July 1892
    Home Town: Nyngan, Bogan, New South Wales
    Schooling: Nyngan Central School, New South Wales, Australia
    Occupation: Shop Assistant
    Died: PTSD, Guildford, New South Wales, Australia, 7 December 1957, aged 65 years
    Cemetery: St Bartholomew's Anglican Cemetery, Prospect, NSW
    Cremated, ashes added to his parent’s grave
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    20 Aug 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, 2698, 17th Infantry Battalion, Warwick Farm, NSW
    2 Nov 1915: Embarked Private, 2698, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney
    2 Nov 1915: Involvement Private, 2698, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
    25 Jul 1916: Involvement Private, 2698, 17th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières
    26 Jul 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, 2698, 17th Infantry Battalion, GSW Scalp
    23 Nov 1916: Promoted Lance Corporal, 17th Infantry Battalion
    22 Feb 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 17th Infantry Battalion, GSW thigh
    5 Mar 1917: Honoured Military Medal, At daybreak on 27/2/17, when his company was going to the front line, Lieut Dickens was wounded. Cpl Knight went forward under heavy Machine gun fire to bring him in, but was himself wounded.
    10 Aug 1917: Promoted Sergeant, 17th Infantry Battalion
    25 Aug 1917: Honoured Military Medal, During the operation near Westhoek on 20/9/17, this NCO Sgt Knight, proved himself a leader of men by his cheery and encouraging example, his absolute disregard of personal safety, and his determination. On the officer of his platoon becoming a casualty, he assumed command and led it through to the third and final objective, where he immediately saw to the consolidation of his position and made preparations for the counter attack. Despite hostile bombardment he held on untill the 17th battalion was relieved. On several previous occasions this NCO had shown great courage, but during this operation he excelled his previous high standard, not only by his devotion to duty and courage, but also by his ability to handle men and win their confidence at a time when the situation absolutely demanded this. R Smith Brig Gen Sgt T R Knight Military Medal
    12 Jun 1918: Wounded Sergeant
    31 Aug 1918: Involvement Sergeant, 17th Infantry Battalion, Mont St Quentin / Peronne
    7 Sep 1918: Honoured Military Medal and bar, Mont St Quentin / Peronne, During the attack on Mont St Quentin, near Peronne, on 31st August 1918, after all 4 company officers had become casualties, this NCO immediately took charge of the remnants of the company and, with great skill and tenacity, held on to his position, where 5 counter attacks were repelled. It was due to his fine example and courage that his company were reorganised and steadied up after a heavy enemy barrage had been put down on their sector. Bar to Military Medal.
    4 Oct 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, Montbrehain, Gassed
    18 Jan 1919: Embarked Sergeant, 17th Infantry Battalion, Returned to Australia per TSS Ulysses, gas poisoning.

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