Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Contributed by the great grandson of Knight who attends Loxton High School

Albert Keith Knight was born on the 25th of January 1921, in Adelaide, to his mother, Ethel Adelaide Johnson and his father, Percival Harald Knight. Albert was the youngest of 7 siblings in his family. Albert left high school when he was 16 years of age and became an assistant butcher at Wack Bros Butchers. Albert showed great work ethic and had the determination to do great things. It was Albert's desire to follow his older siblings lead and serve Australia in WWII.

His ultimate goal was to become an Airman in the Royal Australian Airforce. He would supply many character reference letters from his ex-teachers, family members and current boss, all of whom painted him to be of noble character and suited to serve his country. The only hurdle that would stop him from being able to fly planes would be the compulsory math exam prior to acceptance into the RAAF. After his first failed attempt, Albert would gain a modest enough score to gain acceptance into the Air force. Albert clearly showed his true ANZAC spirit by never giving up his lifelong dream. Even after failing his exam, he would not give in and adapted to becoming a telegraphist.

Albert attended the Wireless Air Gunners school in Ballarat. The RAAF aircrew training expanded dramatically following the outbreak of World War II. This school was to teach initial training, elementary flying training, service flying training, air navigation, air observer, bombing and gunnery and wireless air gunnery. It was here he would take further training to become a telegraphist. A telegraphist was a person who used a telegraph key to send and receive the morse code in order to communicate by land lines or radio. Albert would remain in this position for the entirety of his time served. Albert showed courage by taking everything on even if that meant risking his own life for his country.

To send the morse code Albert would use a morse code transmitter. The transmitter was used to send a series of long and short signals also known as dots and dashes that represent letters and numbers. Morse code was invented in the 1830’s by Samuel Morse and every language have their own version of morse code. This would help disguise communication from the enemy.

It can only be speculated as to why Albert was stationed at the locations listed below. Albert discussed very few details about the events of the war with his family.

Alberts postings were in Ballarat, Richmond, Liberty ship ‘James R Lowell, Sydney, Darwin, Adelaide, 54 Mile NT, Truscott, Rathmines, Gorrie, Winnellie.

54 Mile NT was a campsite in Northern Territory where Albert would be stationed for the longest. Albert and his comrades were stationed in campsites dotted in secluded bushland to stay hidden from the enemy from the air. Their accommodation was a humble canvas tent. Albert would later make sketches of these scenes to pass time. Albert would continue to show his true ANZAC Spirit by not backing out of anything. Even if that meant staying in a small tent for weeks and weeks.

Australia were bombed in Darwin by Japan, Albert witnessed ships sinking after being hit. Albert spent time sketching the scenes. Gorrie had the biggest aircraft service and repair base in the Northern Territory. This was an airfield that would fix and restore aircraft. Albert was also in Sydney when Japan attacked Sydney and Newcastle with submarines.

At the conclusion of World War II Albert returned to Berri where he resumed his employment as a butcher. He would meet the love of his life, Iva Barnes. They married and had four children of their own, two daughters and two sons. Chris, Pam, Keith and Barry. Albert built his very own three-bedroom home to raise his family on Wishart Street which to this very day still stands. Albert was an RSL member for a few years, but he would stop going due to not feeling like he fit in because he did not drink alcohol. He would also choose not to participate in Anzac Day marches.

Albert would receive four medals for the service of his country during World War II. Albert received a defense medal. The defense medal was awarded to soldiers for serving their country for twelve months service in a prescribed non-operational area subject to enemy air attack. He was awarded an Australia service medal (1939-1945). This medal was awarded to acknowledge the service of members of the Australian armed force and the Australian Mercantile Marine in World War II. Albert also received a war medal (1939-1945). The war medal was awarded for 28 full-time service days in the Armed Forces. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration. Albert would additionally be rewarded with a returned from active service badge. This badge was to reconise Australian Defense Force members who have returned from active or warlike service during military campaigns in operational areas. Albert was a noble character throughout his time at war. And during all the hard times he went through, he still came back home to continue his life.

Albert had a firm but fair nature. He had many friends and acquaintances, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone that could say a bad word about him. You can find his name listed on the Gate of Honour at the Berri Oval Memorial. Albert passed away 3rd of October 2014 at 93 years of age. I am so incredibly proud of my family members who have served our country. Albert was one of the lucky ones who survived the atrocities of war. To those who served and did not return-Lest We Forget.

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