MILITARY HISTORY

Private Allen Knott — 195855 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

Allen Knott, a North American Native Indian, residing at Curve Lake, Ontario, was 19 years, 10 months old when, as a single man, he was Attested in the Canadian Army (CA), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Peterborough, Ontario and was enlisted on March 25, 1916 with the “C” Company (Coy) 93rd Canadian Overseas Battalion (Cdn O/S Bn), CEF. Allen was born in Curve Lake, Ontario on May 25, 1896*. He was 5′ 5″ tall, dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair, weighed 115 pounds and had a 34″ chest (expanded). Allen gave his occupation as a Trapper and his next-of-kin was his father William Knott, living at Curve Lake. He indicated that he had no experience with the Militia Force nor the Military Force. Allen’s Medical Examination was done at the 57th Regiment in Peterborough on March 25, 1916, he was found fit for duty. Then, the same day, he was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte); given Regimental Number 195855 and taken-on-strength to the “C” Coy 93rd Cdn O/S Bn CEF. On July 15, 1916 Pte Knott embarked the SS Empress of Britain at Halifax, Nova Scotia for England. He disembarked at Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916 with the “C” Coy 93rd Canadian Overseas Bn CEF. August 1, 1916 Pte Knott made a Pay Assignment of $20.00 monthly to his mother, Mrs. Hannah Knott of Curve Lake PO, Ontario. *January 30, 1919 Pte Knott gave his date-of-birth as May 24, 1899.

There was a gap of about 2 months from July 25 to October 4, 1916 due to no data in Pte Knott’s Military File, he would have been training with the “C” Coy 93rd Cdn O/S Bn in England. October 6, 1916 Pte Knott was struck-off-strength from the “C” Coy 93rd Cdn O/S Bn on transfer to the 39th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cdn Inf Bn) at West Sandling Camp, England and was taken-on-strength to the 39th Cdn Inf Bn. On October 14, 1916 he was attached to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre (CCAC)** at West Sandling Camp. The same day Pte Knott was attached to the 39th Cdn Inf Bn at West Sandling Camp and taken-on-strength to the 39th Cdn Inf Bn at Shoreham, England. **The CCAC is a centre where wounded were assessed for either further treatment or return to duty. Also on October 14, 1916 Pte Knott, with the 39th Cdn Inf Bn, he was declared “under age” but was assessed fit for Permanent Base Duty.

January 4, 1917 Pte Knott ceases to be attached to the CCAC and is transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion (Res Bn) at West Sandling Camp and the 6th Res Bn is attached from the 39th Cdn Inf Bn at Hastings, England. January 23, 1917 he ceases to be attached to the 6th Cdn Res Bn on transfer to the 107th Cdn Inf Bn at Witley Camp and was On-Command to the 107th Cdn Inf Bn. On January 24, 1917 Pte Knott is taken-on-strength from the 3rd Res Bn; the origin of the 3rd Res Bn is not given. January 29, 1917 a Standing Medical Board at Witley determined that Pte Knott, with the 107th Cdn Inf Bn, with a given age of 18 years is underage. His present condition is given as “no disability except age”. January 30, 1917 the Board declared he was “under age” but was assessed fit for Permanent Base Duty.

February 3, 1917 he is struck-off-strength from the 107th Cdn Inf Bn to the 128th Cdn Inf Bn and taken-on-strength at Witley Camp, England. March 13, 1917 Pte Knott was admitted to the Isolation Hospital with Mumps, at Aldershot, England. April 1, 1917 he is struck-off-strength from the 128th Cdn Inf Bn; taken-on-strength with the 19th Res Bn and attached to the 128th Cdn Inf Bn at Witley. April 11, 1917 he was discharged from the Isolation Hospital at Aldershot. April 18, 1917 Pte Knott ceases to be attached to the 128th Cdn Inf Bn on reposting to the 19th Res Bn at Witley. April 19, 1917 he and was struck-off-strength from the 128th Cdn Inf Bn on posting to the Saskatchewan Regimental Depot (Sask Regt Dep) at Bramshott, England. May 11, 1917 Pte Knott is struck-off-strength from the Sask Regt Dep on transfer to the Canadian Forestry Corps Base Depot (CFCBD) at Bramshott. May 17, 1917 he is taken-on-strength to the CFCBD at Sunningdale, England on transfer from the Supply Reserve Depot (SRD). May 20, 1917 he is struck-off-strength from the CFCBD on posting to the CFC No 38 Company (Coy) in France at Sunningdale, England; his latest address is Cove Lake, Ontario. December 16, 1917 Pte Knott was granted 10 days Leave to Paris, France. December 24, 1917 he rejoined his Unit in the Field. December 31, 1917 Pte Knott is serving with the 38th Coy CFC in the Field.

May 20, 1918 Pte Knott is struck-off-strength from the No 38 Coy to the No 44 Coy. On May 21, 1918 he was struck-off-strength from the CFC No 38 Coy and taken-on-strength to the CFC No 44 Coy in the Field. October 10, 1918 Pte Knott was struck-off-strength on transfer to the CFC No 38 Coy and then struck-off-strength to the CFCBD in the Field and is granted 14 days Leave in France. October 11, 1918 he is taken-on-strength to the No 38 Coy on transfer from the No 44 Coy. October 16, 1918 Pte Knott rejoins his the No 38 Coy from Leave. January 22, 1919 the Officer Commanding, CFC is taken-on-strength to the CFCBD at Sunningdale. January 30, 1919 Pte Knott had a Medical Examination upon leaving the Service in which he gave his date-of-birth as May 24, 1899 at Curve Lake, Ontario. February 13, 1919 Pte Knott, under authority of CFCBD, is struck-off-strength from the Canadian Construction Company (CCC) CFC on transfer to the Military District No 3 and taken-on-strength at Rhyl. February 22, 1919 Pte Knott embarked the SS Belgic at Liverpool, England bound for Canada.

March 2, 1919 he disembarked the SS Belgic at Halifax, Nova Scotia and is taken-on-strength to the Casualty Company at No 3 District Depot effective March 5, 1919. On March 6, 1919 he was granted Leave March 19, 1919 inclusive. March 24, 1919 Pte Knott had a Medical Examination upon leaving the Service with no disability; his Unit was the 3rd Canadian Corps Petrol Park, it was noted that a Systolic Mitral murmur is well compensated and there was no disability. March 27, 1919 Pte Knott was struck-off-strength and discharged on demobilization from the No 3 District Depot at Kingston. Pte Knott received a War Service Gratuity of $420.00, a Clothing Allowance and a Rehabilitation Grant.

There is no mention in Private Allen Knott’s File with regards to what Military Medals or Decorations he was eligible to receive or was awarded. Based on his Military Service, he was awarded the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge.

Private Allen Knott served for about: 2 months and 15 days in Canada; 10 months and 25 days in the United Kingdom; 1year, 8 months and 2 days in France and 20 days Travel Time for a total time of about 3 year and 2 days.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:

The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?

PERSONAL HISTORY

ALLEN KNOTT

Allen Knott was born in Curve Lake, Ontario on May 25, 1897. He was the oldest of six children born to William Mandamin Knott and Hannah Taylor. He grew up on the Mud Lake Reserve and enjoyed fishing and hunting.

On March 25, 1916, at the age of 19 years, Allen went to Peterborough and enlisted to serve his country. He was assigned to the 57th Regiment. After the war, Allen returned home to his family in Curve Lake. On July 31, 1919, Allen married Margaret “Maggie” Gladys Martell in the Salvation Army Temple in Peterborough. She was the daughter of William Martell and Mary Simcoe.

Allen and Maggie made their home in Curve Lake and had a family of seven children: Evelyn Florence; Mary Audrey; Muriland Oliver; Alma Delina; Ronald William; Donald and Ethel Knott. Allen spent much of his time hunting, fishing and operating a successful trap line. Sadly Allen passed away on September 4, 1948, at the age of 52 years and his wife Margaret “Maggie” died in 1987; both are buried in the Curve Lake Cemetery.

THE ALLEN KNOTT FAMILY OF CURVE LAKE

The parents of Allen Knott were William Mandamin Knott born in December 1870 in Curve Lake and Hannah Taylor born in June 1880. They made their home in the Village of Curve Lake and had a family of six children – Allen, Mary, Emma, Percy, Cecil and William “Willie” Knott.
William was an avid hunter and fisherman and worked as a fishing guide during the summer months. William Knott passed away on December 30, 1928 and his wife Hannah died in 1949; both are buried in the Curve Lake Cemetery.