Charles Knight was born in Sarnia, on July 27, 1896, the son of William Russell Knight (of Simcoe County, a barber) and Catherine Jane “Jennie” (nee Saunders, of Goderich) Knight, of 158 North Brock Street, Sarnia. His siblings included Alberta Louise (born 1883); William Ernest (born 1885); Harry Wallace (born 1887); Arthur Russell (born 1889); Oliver Saunders (born 1891); James Abraham (born 1893); Jennie Mae (born 1895); and Clarence (born 1899, died at 6 months). Charles’ older brother William Ernest enlisted in the Army Medical Corps in January 1915 and arrived in England in April 1915. Once there, William served on hospital ships Letitia, Araguay and Llandovery Castle, making 24 round trips across the ocean. William had made many trips on the Llandovery Castle except, ironically and fortunately, its last ill-fated trip. The Llandovery Castle was torpedoed by a German submarine, in June of 1918, killing two hundred thirty-four, including Private David Smuck of Sarnia. Just prior to the last fateful voyage of the Llandovery Castle, William Knight had reverted to the rank of private and went to France as a stretcher-bearer with the 13th Field Ambulance. William would serve overseas for four years in the War, returning to Sarnia in June of 1919.
Charles Knight enlisted with the 161st Huron Battalion at Goderich, on March 20, 1916, where he was living at the time. He listed his occupation as a factory hand and his marital status as single. He was later transferred to the 58th Battalion, leaving Canada and arriving in England in October 1916. As a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 58th Battalion, with the rank of Private, Charles arrived in France in December 1916.
Charles Knight would take part in fighting in the engagements at Vimy and at Passchendaele. On October 26, 1917, Charles Knight would lose his life while fighting on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele, Belgium. Another Sarnian, James Millar Pirrie, would also lose his life in the same battle on the same day (also included in this project). Charles Knight would officially be listed as, Killed in Action. Attack west of Passchendaele. Charles was awarded the Allied Mothers Badge and the Memorial Cross, which was presented to his mother Catherine Jennie Knight by the Canadian Government. She would wear it the remainder of her life, passing it on to her grandson, Fred. Now, it is treasured by her great-grand-daughter Jodi. Twenty-one year old Charles Knight has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial, Belgium, Panel 18-24-26-30.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G