KNIGHT, Edwin George
| Service Number: | 3422 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 June 1917, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Divisional Train |
| Born: | Newtown, Victoria, 19 December 1892 |
| Home Town: | Geelong, Greater Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Chilwell Primary School |
| Occupation: | Weaver & loom tuner |
| Died: | Natural causes (pulmonary emphysema), Geelong, Victoria, 18 September 1953, aged 60 years |
| Cemetery: |
Geelong Western Cemetery, Victoria |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Jun 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3422, 60th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3422, 60th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Melbourne embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Jul 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3422, 60th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Melbourne, Sydney | |
| 25 Sep 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 59th Infantry Battalion | |
| 27 Jan 1919: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 5th Divisional Train | |
| 5 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3422, 5th Divisional Train |
The Quiet Knight
Edwin (Ted) Knight started work at 13 in the Geelong Woollen mill, not long after the death of his father, George James in October 1906. He was required to support his mother, younger brothers and sisters.
Ted worked his way up to become a loom tuner who is believed to be the first man to spin a rug at the Federal Woollen Mill.
Edwin, aged 24 years, 5 months, enlisted for service in World War 1 only a few months after the birth of his first child Lewis, with wife Maggie (nee Jones).
He was described as 5 feet 6 inches (168cm) tall, weighed 119 pounds, had blue eyes, brown hair and was a Methodist.
At the completion of his basic training at Broadmeadows, Ted embarked at Port Melbourne for Sydney on Monday 16 July 1917 and from there to Liverpool arriving Sunday 16 September
Stints at Hurdcott as part of the 15th Training Battalion then he left Southhampton early January 1918 for France and taken on strength with the 60th Battalion. His service record shows that he was in hospital ‘sick’ from 3 March through to 23 June 1918, after being gassed.
He was then cited with anaemia in late June and remained in hospital until mid-September before re-joining his unit. He again saw active service with the 59th Battalion before earning some leave in England and shortly after was then granted a fortnight’s leave in France returning to the field on 18th December 1918.
Due to continuing issues with his health, Ted was released from duty and posted to the position of driver in Spain on 27 January 1919 reverting to Private on 14th May following another period in France and from there was posted to England before returning to Australia on the 'Chemnity' on 7th June 1919
Despite having had a lung removed, Ted worked at the Returned Soldier’s Mill as a foreman loom tuner and despite his difficulties never took a day off sick.
Ted and Maggie had another 6 children and he was well known for his quiet, reserved by social nature.
His son Lew, served in World War 2.
Ted always marched with his mates on Anzac Day and staunchly collected for the Children’s Hospital at the Cremorne Hotel, which he did for many years prior to his death in September 1953 at the age of 60 years.
Submitted 3 March 2016 by John McKay
Biography
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