10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
22/08/1888
Died:
21/02/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
28
Summary
Thomas McKnight was the son of Joan and Matilda McKnight. He was born on 22nd August 1888 in Tullyinksay, near Magherafelt. His father was a farmer. By 1911, his father had died and the family had moved to Belfast. Thomas was working as a shop assistant in a jewellery shop. 2nd Lieutenant Tom McKnight was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Ypres on Wednesday 21st February 1917. He was 28 years old.
Further Information
Thomas McKnight was the son of John and Matilda McKnight. John McKnight and Matilda Donnelly were married on 22nd June 1883 in the district of Magherafelt.
Thomas McKnight was born on 22nd August 1888 in Tullyinksay, near Magherafelt.
Family: John McKnight, Matilda McKnight, Alexander McKnight (born 19th May 1884), Annie McKnight (born 5th January 1887), Thomas McKnight (born 22nd August 1888), Matilda Lillie McKnight (born 16th September 1890), John McKnight (born 24th September 1892), Mary McKnight (born 24th April 1894), William McKnight (born 9th March 1896, died 6th April 1896), Unnamed McKnight (born 8th June 1899, died 9th June 1899)
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 12 living with the family at house 33 in Tullyinksay, Magherafelt. His father was a farmer.
The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 22 living with the family at house 15 in Avoca Street, Clifton, Antrim. His father had died and the family had moved to Belfast. Thomas was working as a shop assistant in a jewellery shop.
Before the war he was in the employment of Messrs David Mitchell Ltd., Castle Street, Belfast.
Tom was a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment U.V.F.
For several years he had been a trooper in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, and was mobilised on the outbreak of war.
Around November 1914, Tom McKnight was transferred to the 16th Royal Irish Rifles, then stationed at Lurgan. He was speedily promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was one of the most popular non-commissioned officers in the battalion.
Tom accompanied the Division to France.
In September 1915, Sergeant McKnight attended cadet school at Headquarters in France preparing to receive his commission.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 21st November 1916:
Sergeant Tom McKnight, 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers), has just received a commission, and has been posted to the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry Volunteers). Second Lieutenant McKnight is the second son of the late Mr John McKnight, formerly of Castledawson, and Mrs McKnight, 71 Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast. Before the war he was in the employment of Messrs David Mitchell Ltd., Castle Street, Belfast, and was a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment U.V.F. For several years he had been a trooper in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, and was mobilised on the outbreak of war. About November 1914, he was transferred to the 16th Royal Irish Rifles, then stationed at Lurgan. He was speedily promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was one of the most popular non-commissioned officers in the battalion. He accompanied the Division to France, where he has since been serving. For the past two months Second Lieutenant McKnight has been in cadet school at Headquarters in France preparatory to receiving his commission.
Sergeant Tom McKnight, 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers), received his commission in November 1916 and was been posted to the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry Volunteers).
2nd Lieutenant Tom McKnight was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Ypres on Wednesday 21st February 1917. He was 28 years old.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th February 1917:
Second Lieutenant Thomas McKnight, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action on 21st February, was the second son of the late Mr John McKnight, Castledawson, and Mrs McKnight, 71 Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast. He was in the employment of Messrs David Mitchell Ltd., Castle Place, before the war. He was for several years in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, with which he was called up for service on the outbreak of the war. A few months later he obtained a transfer to the Pioneer Battalion of the Ulster Division with which he served until he was recommended for a commission, which was granted on 26th November 1916. The deceased was a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force.
2nd Lieutenant Thomas McKnight is buried in Berks Cemetery Extension, some ten miles south of Ypres in Belgium.
The CWGC record 2nd Lieutenant Tom McKnight as the son of Matilda McKnight, of 71 Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast, and the late John McKnight.
