16526 Private Ernest Francis Knight
9th(Service)Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
Born in Chudleigh,Devon in 1896.
His parents were Francis John Knight(1865-25/02/1902) and Sarah Soper(1864-18/11/1922) They married in 1894.
Ernest had 2 brothers; Albert Victor(1897-11/05/1919) and Frank John(22/10/1902-15/02/1966).
In the 1901 census ,the family were recorded as living at the Mission room in Chudleigh. The employment that Francis was doing at this time isn't legible,but the previous census had seen him employed as a gardener.
By the 1911 census ,the family had moved to
37 New Exeter Street , Chudleigh, Ernest was working as a gardeners assistant.
He enlisted in Newton Abbot and was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and
Allied Victory medals.
His mother was awarded a pension of 5/6 a week from 30/01/1917.
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Western Times – Friday 28 July 1916
Private E Knight son of Mrs. Knight New Exeter street Chudleigh has been killed in action.
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His brother serving as a 2nd mate in the Merchant Navy, died at sea on 11/05/1919.