Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Hans KNUDSON and Anne Kathrine nee FREDRICKSEN of Goatchie, North Coast Line, Qld.

Note- some service records have incorrectly recorded his surname as Knudson.

Peter Knudsen served twice in the South African (Boer) War, again in WW1, and again in WW2 albeit in the home forces. First service was as a Private S.N. 162, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, Boer War. Second service was as a Sergeant S.N. 17, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, Boer War. Third service was as a Private S.N. 16992, 2nd Light Horse Brigade Field Ambulance AIF, WW1. Fourth service was as a Corporal S.N. Q213772, 13 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (Qld), WW2.

When he first enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were published with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, he was recorded as Private T. Knudson, Gootchie, North Coast Line. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 1st QMI, Bk 1 p. 60, it is noted he directed part of his pay to Mrs. H. Knudsen (his mother), Gootchie, N. Coast.

Like a number of men in the 1st QMI, the paybooks note he was seconded to the South African Police between 1 May 1900 and 1 Jul 1900. He served the full tour of the 1st QMI returning with the contingent to Brisbane where he was discharged on 23 Jan 1901.

He enlisted again in 1902 with the 7th BACH and on his Attestation, dated 23 April 1902, it was recorded that; he was born at Tiaro and was 26 years 9 months of age; he was single and a farmer; his N.O.K. was his father Hans Knudsen, Gootchie, N. C. Line; and he had previously served with the 1st QMI. The contingent arrived in South Africa on 22 Jun 1902 after peace had been declared. Just 6 days later they embarked on the Manchester Merchant to return to Brisbane where they were discharged on 9 Aug 1902.

In 1916 he enlisted again for WW1. On his Attestation Paper, dated 20 Apr 1916, it was noted; he was born at Tiaro and was 40 years 9 months of age; he was married and a farmer; his N.O.K. was his wife Annie Christina Knudsen, Gootchie, Qld; and he had previously served with the QMI and went with the 1st contingent to South Africa.

In 1942 he enlisted again for WW2 to serve in the home forces. On his Attestation Form, dated 6 Jul 1942, it was noted that; he was born at Tiaro on 16 Aug 1875; he was married and an Ambulance Superintendent; his N.O.K. was his wife Annie Christina Knudsen, Theodore, Qld; and he had previously served with the 1st AIF (WW1).

Peter Knudsen was born on 16 Aug 1875 at Tiaro, a son to Hans Knudsen and Anne Kathrine Knudsen (nee Fredricksen). He married Annie Christina Carlson on 15 Jun 1904 at Miva, Qld, living on the farm at Gootchie, and they would have 4 children.

The Maryborough Chronicle on 19 Dec 1950, reported on the opening of the Ambulance Station at Hervey Bay on 14 Dec 1950. The report provided a background on each of the two men who had established the centre, of which one was Peter Knudsen, from humble beginnings working as honourary bearers from a tent with a vehicle borrowed from another station.

Known affectionately as "Old Peter" around the Bay after giving 50 years of service as an ambulance bearer. He noted working from a tent was no hardship to him as he had done so during his Army service. He earned his first certificate in Maryborough in 1893 and served as an honourary bearer for the town even while living at Gootchie. It noted he had served in the Boer War where he claimed he had done some ambulance work, and again in WW1 with the Field Ambulance as well as acting as a dispenser on two troopships.

In 1923 he was appointed as Superintendent at the Theodore Ambulance Station filling the position for 21 years until he retired to Hervey Bay. Well past 70 years old he again put himself forward to serve in the tent ambulance at Hervey Bay while campaigning for a permanent Ambulance Centre for the town.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 451 and 531; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossiers 1st and 2nd services; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI, Bk 1 p. 60; National Archives Australia- WW1 Service Record; National Archives Australia- WW2 Service record; Veterans At Bay Opening- The maryborough Chronicle, 16 Dec 1950, p. 2).