Henry James Knight
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Henry James Knight (5 November 1878—24 November 1955) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 21 years old, and a corporal in the 1st Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 August 1900 during the operations near Van Wyk's Vlei, South Africa, Corporal Knight and four men were covering the right rear of a detachment of their company when they were attacked by the enemy. The corporal held his ground, directing his men to retire one by one to better cover, where he maintained his position for nearly an hour, covering the withdrawal of part of their company, and losing two of his four men. He then retired, taking with him two wounded men, one of whom he left in a place of safety and the other he carried himself for nearly two miles.
[edit] Further information
He later achieved the rank of Captain.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the King's Regiment (Liverpool, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Dorset)
- The King's Regiment (regiment history)
