9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
11/05/1897
Died:
16/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
20
Summary
James Huston Knox was the son of Alexander and Margaret Knox. He was born on 11th May 1897. He was one of eight children. The family lived in Bridge Street, Kilrea. His father was a blacksmith. James enlisted in Coleraine in November 1916 After two months training, he went to the front in France in February 1917. Private James Knox was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Belgium in the mud at the Battle of Passchendaele on Thursday 16th August 1917.
Further Information
James Knox was the son of Alexander and Margaret Knox. Alexander Knox married Margaret McKay on 14th May 1884 in the district of Coleraine.
James Huston Knox was born on 11th May 1897. He was one of eight children.
Family: Alexander Knox, Maggie Knox, Annie Knox (born 6th April 1885), John Knox (born 22nd December 1886), Lizzie Knox (born 23rd November 1888), Margaret Knox (born 26th February 1892), Mary Knox (born 21st January 1895), James Huston Knox (born 11th May 1897), Martha Knox (born 5th August 1900), William Knox (born 5th March 1903), Robert Knox (born 19th February 1906).
The 1901 census lists James as age 3 living with the family at house 42 in Bridge Street, Kilrea, County Londonderry. His father was a blacksmith.
The 1911 census lists James as age 13 living with the family at house 38 in Bridge Street, Kilrea. James was still at school.
James Knox was a member of the choir in 1st Kilrea Presbyterian Church.
James Knox was living in Kilrea when he enlisted in Coleraine in November 1916.
After two months training, he went to the front in France in February 1917 .
Private James Knox was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Belgium in the mud at the Battle of Passchendaele on Thursday 16th August 1917.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st September 1917:
Private James Knox, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Bridge Street, Kilrea, killed in action.
From the Northern Constitution dated 1st September 1917:
Death of James H Knox, son of Alexander Knox, joined in November 1916 and after two months training, he went to France and has he has been at the front for six months. He was killed in action on 16th August. In a letter from his company commander, it states, ‘Your son fell in the forefront of the fray during our attack. His conduct was splendid.’ He belonged to 1st Kilrea church choir.
Private Knox has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. The Memorial to the Missing at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen, Belgium bears the names of many who fell in the battles for Passchendaele and whose bodies were never recovered.
Private James Know is also commemorated in 1st Kilrea Presbyterian Church.
James’ older brother John Knox also served. He survived the war.
The CWGC record Private James Huston Knox as the son of Alexander and Margaret Knox, of Bridge Street, Kilrea, County Derry.
