Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Frederick (Fred) Rudolf Knight was born 1865, location unknown and as a young man spent time in South Africa, returning, aged 26 years and described on the passenger list as a mining engineer, to Southampton from Durban aboard the “Tartar” of the Union Steamships Company, June 29th 1891. Frederick Rudolph Knight married Catherine Mossop born 1876 at Washington, County Durham, in the district of Chester le Street, November 26th 1894, eight years later with they were living at 40 Kenmore Rows, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, with 4 children, where Frederick (Fred) was employed as a coal hewer. They stayed in Scotland in the same area but had moved back to the Gateshead with their 8 children, after 1911 but before the outbreak of hostilities with Germany in 1914.
Frederick Rudolph Knight enlisted, August 28th 1915, aged 50 years but passed himself off as being 7 years younger (43), assigned as Private 117793 Royal Engineers. Despite being beyond the maximum recruitment age he was drafted to France, September 3rd 1915. Neither his military or full pension record exist however he was discharged, September 18th 1917, under King’s Regulations due to sickness and awarded Silver Badge 136096. At the time of his discharge he was serving as part of the Royal Engineers 3rd Provisional Company, they regarded him as being 46 years old he was in fact 53.
Frederick would have been awarded a pension and received his medals consisting of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Private 117793 Frederick Rudolf Knight died April 23rd 1920 and buried at south east side, Heworth (St. Mary) Churchyard, near Gateshead, County Durham.
Mr. and Mrs. Knight’s son Able Seaman Z/580 William Edward Knight Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was killed in action November 13th 1916, interred Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille, Somme, France aged 21 years. Recipient of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal received by them at their home address of 9, Hainingwood Terrace, Bill Quay, Gateshead, County Durham. (See separate article)
Catherine Knight remarried during the second quarter (Apr/May/Jun) of 1923, in the district of Gateshead, to James Tapping and died aged 59 years in the district of Gateshead in 1935.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Frederick Rudolph Knight is not remembered on a local war memorial.
