Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Updates for 2nd Lieutenant Tom McKnight
Date Information
19/05/2020 01397
17/01/2017 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.
17/01/2017
17/01/2017 From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th February 1917:
08/01/2017 Before the war he was in the employment of Messrs David Mitchell Ltd., Castle Street, Belfast.
08/01/2017 From the Belfast Newsletter dated 21st November 1916:
08/01/2017 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.
08/01/2017 Tom was a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment U.V.F.
08/01/2017 For several years he had been a trooper in the Ayrshire Yeomanry, and was mobilised on the outbreak of war.
08/01/2017 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.
08/01/2017 Tom accompanied the Division to France.
08/01/2017 In September 1915, Sergeant McKnight attended cadet school at Headquarters in France preparing to receive his commission.
08/01/2017 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).
08/01/2017
02/02/2016
31/01/2016 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.
31/01/2016 The CWGC record 2nd Lieutenant Tom McKnight as the son of Matilda McKnight, of 71 Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast, and the late John McKnight.
31/01/2016 2nd Lieutenant Thomas McKnight is buried in Berks Cemetery Extension, some ten miles south of Ypres in Belgium.
31/01/2016 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.
31/01/2016 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.
31/01/2016 The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 12 living with the family at house 33 in Tullyinksay, Magherafelt. His father was a farmer.
31/01/2016 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)
31/01/2016 Thomas McKnight was born on 22nd August 1888 in Tullyinksay, near Magherafelt.
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