Ex Somme Reflect - Knott Brothers Commemoration

The Ypres Reservoir Cemetery contains the graves of the Knott Brothers, the sons of Sir James Knott who founded a Trust in memory of his lost sons.

Knott Brothers
Major JL Knott DSO & Captain HB Knott

Ypres Reservoir Cemetery

 James Knott was a wealthy entrepreneur who lived at Close House, Wylam, prior to the First World War.  He had made his fortune through his shipping line, Prince Line Limited which he set up in 1895. It grew to be the third largest in the World.

 

In 1914 on the outbreak of World War One, two of his sons, Henry Basil and James Leadbitter, volunteered to join the Army and were commissioned into the 9th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

Captain Henry Basil Knott died of wounds on the 7th September 1915 whilst serving with the 9th NF in the Ypres Salient. The 9th NF were in the line at Bois Carre close to the village of Vierstraart when he received a shot to the head. He was taken to No 10 Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding, Poperinghe where he died. He was buried in nearby at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

James Leader Bitter Knott transferred to the 10th Battalion West Riding Regiment. He was awarded the DSO in the Birthday Honours of 3rd June 1916.

On the 1st July 1916 Major JL Knott was Battalion 2 I/C and the 10th West Riding's were in the front line facing the heavily fortified village of Fricourt. Following the detonation of a mine a position named the Tambour the Battalion advanced quickly through the German first line defences, but were caught by heavy machinegun fire from the second line devastating the Yorkshire men. The 10th West Yorks suffered the heaviest casualties of any Battalion on the First Day of the Somme, they included Major James Leadbitter Knott.  He was buried in Fricourt New Military Cemetery.

James Knott was devastated by the loss of his sons, and decided to sell the Prince Line.  After the War he used his fortune to commission a number of memorials and a set up a charitable trust dedicated to the memory of his sons.

  He used his considerable influence to have the bodies of both his sons brought together, and they were buried alongside each other in Ypres Extension Cemetery.

On the 1st July 2016, the opportunity was taken to lay a wreath at the Knott Brothers graves in Ypres, exactly 100 years after the loss of Major JL Knott on the Somme.



Major JL Knott & Captain HB Knott
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery 

Capt HB Knott

Major JL Knott DSO