KNOTT, Howard Spencer Oliver Gordon
| Service Number: | 3203 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 July 1918, Murray Bridge, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Railway Unit (AIF) |
| Born: | Paradise, South Australia, 17 March 1892 |
| Home Town: | Murray Bridge, Murray Bridge, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Campbelltown Public School, East Adelaide Public School and Howard's Commercial College, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Locomotive Fireman (S.A.R.) |
| Died: | Died of illness (Pneumonic influenza), Quarantine Station, Woodman Point, Western Australia, 13 December 1918, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rockingham Cemetery, Western Australia Section: Anglican A, Number: 25. |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Coogee "Boonah" Tragedy Memorial, Murray Bridge Hospital Memorial Gates, Tailem Bend Roll of Honor to Loco Employees Murray Bridge |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Jul 1918: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3203, Murray Bridge, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3203, Railway Unit (AIF), Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Boonah embarkation_ship_number: A36 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Oct 1918: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3203, Railway Unit (AIF), HMAT Boonah, Adelaide |
Private Howard Spencer Knott
The troopship, 'Boonah' arrived back in Fremantle in 1918 bearing soldiers infected with the Spanish Flu then rampant in South Africa where the ship had docked. A number of the soldiers, quarantined at Woodman Point, and the nurses attending them died.
Howard died from that disease on 14 December 1918 and was buried at East Rockingham cemetery that day (ER: Ang A1 25). He was 27 years of age, from Paradise, Victoria.
A room in the museum at the former quarantine station, and a Boonah memorial outside the former Isolation Hospital commemorates the tragic loss of life. Howard and other men and women were also honoured at a Boonah Century Commemoration Ceremony at the former quarantine station in December 2018.
3203 Private / H.S. Knott / Railway Unit / 13th December 1918 [sic] / In memory of / the dearly loved son of / Mr and Mrs W Knott.
AWM Roll of Honour, Panel 26
Lest We Forget.
Submitted 31 May 2025 by gail dodd
Private Howard
The troopship, 'Boonah' arrived back in Fremantle in 1918 bearing soldiers infected with the Spanish Flu then rampant in South Africa where the ship had docked. A number of the soldiers, quarantined at Woodman Point, and the nurses attending them died.
Michael died from that disease on 13 December 1918 and was buried at East Rockingham cemetery the following day (ER: RC1). He was only 20 years of age, from Gawler, SA.
A room in the museum at the former quarantine station, and a Boonah memorial outside the former Isolation Hospital commemorates the tragic loss of life. Michael and other men and women were also honoured at a Boonah Century Commemoration Ceremony at the former quarantine station in December 2018.
62626 Private / J. Haggerty / Australian Imperial Force / 13th December 1918.
AWM Roll of Honour, Panel 185
Lest We Forget.
Submitted 31 May 2025 by gail dodd
Died For His Country
Private HOWARD S. KNOTT, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Knott. Gaza, who contracted pneumonia influenza on board s.s. Boonah whilst returning to Fremantle from South Africa, after the signing of the armistice, died at Woodman's Point, Western Australia, on December 13.
He was born at Paradise on March 17, 1892, and received his education at Campbelltown and East Adelaide public schools. He gained the University primary certificate, and completed hia education at Howard Commercial College, gaining certificates.
He was employed in the South Australian railway at Murray Bridge locomotive shed as a fireman, after seven years' service in various parts of the State. Private Knott volunteered for active service. In July. 1916, and having passed his final test he went into camp on September 9. He embarked as a member of the Railway Unit on October 22.
He had a kindly disposition, which won him many friends.
Source:
1919 'AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS.', Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), 18 January, p. 37. , viewed 15 Sep 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89135204
Submitted 15 September 2016 by Campbelltown Library Volunteers (Digital Diggers)
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Howard Spencer Oliver Gordon KNOTT was born on 17th March, 1892 at Paradise, South Australia
His parents were William KNOTT & Jane RANDALL
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