Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Ernest Fredericks Knaggs was born July 12th 1895 at Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham, one of 9 children of whom only 8 survived, 5 sons and 3 daughters. His father Joseph Henry Knaggs born1858 and mother Mary Hannah Welford born October 16th 1860 were both natives of Hinderwell, Yorkshire, they were married at Whitby in 1881. They moved with their family to Wardley in about 1888 and in 1891 to 56 Reservoir Street, Heworth, near Gateshead, County Durham, where Joseph Henry was employed as a colliery joiner. They had moved to 9, Third Street by 1901, his elder sons chose not to follow in his footsteps, Arthur (19) worked at the shipyards whilst Harry (18) was employed as a grocer. At the age of 15 years in 1911 Edward Fredericks worked as a driver at the colliery, his eldest brother Thomas (21) was now a ship wright, Arthur (29) and Harry 28) had left home, his eldest sister Charlotte (26) was a qualified teacher working for Felling Council, Ann (23) and Mary (19) were domestic workers at home, Edwin the youngest was a scholar.
Ernest Fredericks Knaggs enlisted November 22nd 1914, assigned as Able Seaman TZ/1981 to the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, 2nd Brigade and transferred to Collingwood Battalion “D” Company 3rd Platoon March 4th 1915. They began training at Crystal Palace before moving to Blandford Camp in Dorset learning trench construction and trench warfare. Collingwood was in the 2nd Brigade with Hood, Howe, and Anson. The Battalions left for Egypt, Collingwood and two other Battalions left Blandford at 5am on May 10th 1915 for Plymouth and from there embarkation on H.M Transport Ivernia via Gibraltar arriving at Mundros, May 23rd. During the next week they resumed training and particularly getting acclimatised which included field marches. May 27th 1915 they received orders they would be moving to the front, leaving Mundros for Cape Helles where they were assigned to dig trenches for the next three days and came under heavy shell fire. The losses were such that Collingwood and Benbow battalions were disbanded, June 8th 1915 Able Seaman Knaggs was transferred to Hood Battalion, 2nd Brigade and remained on the Gallipoli peninsular until the division was withdrawn to France arriving at Marseilles 12-23 May 1916. The division transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the war office, April 26th 1916 and was redesigned to the 63rd Royal Naval Division July 19th 1916. They did not take part in any major battles on the Western Front until the Battle of Ancre, a phase of the Battles of the Somme, November 13th-18th 1916.
Able Seaman TZ/1981 Edward Fredericks Knaggs Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Naval Division was wounded, gunshot wounds to the knees, on the very first day of battle. Evacuated by the Field Ambulance via the casualty clearing stations he was admitted to the 2nd General Hospital at Le Havre where he died at 8.05 a.m. December 9th 1916. He was interred at Ste. Marie Cemetery, France, a cemetery overlooking Le Havre, Div. 3. A. 14. He was 21 years old and single.
His father commissioned at a cost of 9 shillings 7 pence an additional inscription to be added to his headstone it reads, “Remembrance- God gave Our Love One Rest” and received all monies due to him at 9, Third Street, Wardley Colliery, Pelaw, County Durham. Recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Fredericks Knaggs is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and at Wardley on W97.01
