The AIF Project

Hector Jasper McKNIGHT

Regimental number3200
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSalesman
AddressBannan Farm, Pennant Hills, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Next of kinSister, Miss N McKnight care or Mrs Page, 6 Constitution Hill, Auckland, New Zealand
Enlistment date7 October 1915
Place of enlistmentHolsworthy, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name20th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/37/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 20 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollBombardier
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Divisional Ammunition Column
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal (Immediate)


Recommendation date: 26 April 1918

FateReturned to Australia 2 June 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'At 2 a.m. on the 24th April, 1918, a fire broke out in the ammunition dump of the 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column at VECQUEMONT, caused by a hostile shell bursting in the vicinity. Acting Bombardier McKNIGHT was in charge of the guard on this dump and immediately on the outbreak o the fire, he rushed the fire picquet and together with Corporal McGAHAN rushed to the fire. This N.C.O. entirely regardless of personal danger, immediately proceeded to isolate the burning ammunition and to put out the fire. His promptitude in arousing the picquet and his entire disregard of personal danger in putting out the fire was largely responsible for saving a large dump of ammunition and preventing a very serious loss of life.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 1
Date: 2 January 1919

Other detailsMedals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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