MILITARY HISTORY

Private Arthur Billings Knox – 195119 – ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

On September 15, 1915 Arthur Knox completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Army, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 19 years, 2 months and 14 days old, when, as a single man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. Arthur indicated that he was born in Lakefield*, Ontario and that his birth-date was July 1, 1896. He indicated he did not presently belong to an Active Militia nor a Military Force. As far as his Trade or Calling; he lists Farmer. Arthur was 5′ 7½” tall, with a 35½” chest (expanded). His weight was not given; he had a fair complexion, with blue eyes and light hair. No Medical issues were raised during his Medical Examination on September 7, 1915, and as such he was deemed fit for service with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. Arthur’s next-of-kin was listed as his father, Mr. Robert H. Knox Jr, of RR #3 Lakefield. He signed the Declaration and Oath on September 15, 1915, in Peterborough, Ontario; the Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on September 21, 1915, in Peterborough. Although, the Attestation Paper is marked as the 57th Regt, Arthur Knox was taken-on-strength with the 93rd Battalion (Bn) Overseas (Peterborough), CEF, which was authorized and formed up December 22, 1915. He was assigned the rank of Private (Pte) and was assigned Regimental Number 195119. *One instance in Arthur Knox’s File indicates that he was born in Chokio, Minnesota USA.

A gap in Pte Knox’s records of about 9½ months from September 15, 1915 to July 15, 1916 exists; he would have been on training and performing assigned duties. As for other enlisted soldiers, Pte Knox would probably have been transported to Valcartier, Québec for Basic and Advanced Infantry Training. Valcartier was constructed as a Military Base in August 1914, as part of the mobilization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, at the outset of World War I. The Base is located approximately 16 miles north of Québec City. Training, which was pretty rudimentary, consisting of marching, rifle, and bayonet drills. The officers were trained in the correct use of a pistol and practiced swordsmanship. The main goal of the Base was to form the men into units and ship them off to England as quickly as possible. On July 1, 1916 Pte Knox made a pay assignment of $20:00 monthly to his father. When their training had been completed, he and the 93rd Battalion (Bn) CEF embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 15, 1916, aboard the SS Empress of Britain.

Pte Knox arrived in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916 and would have been taken-on-strength with a Unit (unknown) and was on training for about 10 weeks. October 5, 1916 he was transferred to the 97th Bn at Otterpool, England. On October 6, 1916, he was taken-on-strength with the 97th Bn from the 93rd Bn at Otterpool. On October 21, 1916 Pte Knox was struck-off-strength from the 97th Bn on transfer to the 31st Bn at Otterpool. On October 22, 1916 Pte Knox was transferred to and arrived at the Canadian Base Depot at Le Harvre, France and was taken-on-strength with the 31st Bn. October 23, 1916 he left for the 31th Bn in the Field and arrived at his Unit on October 27, 1916. The next year has no annotations in Pte Knox’s File, it is probable that he was employed with the 31th Bn doing assigned duties and at the Front.

October 30, 1917 Pte Knox is struck-off-strength from the 31st Bn on allotment to a Release Depot pending transfer to a Cadet Wing, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). August 31, 1918 Cadet Knox is appointed to a Temporary Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant (T/2nd Lt) in the Royal Air Force (RAF) at Worthy Down, London England.

May 10, 1918 he ceases to be shown On-Command at No 2 Cadet Wing RF, Hastings and is struck-off-strength on being discharged in the British Isles on being appointed to a Commission in the RAF, Bramshott, England. As of this date was discharged from the Canadian Army (Canada) at the Canadian Discharge Depot (CDD) at London, England.

September 7, 1918 T/2nd Lt Knox is appointed to the Rank of Flight Sergeant (F/Sgt) while attending the Officer Training Course (OTC) pending appointment of his Commission.

There is no File to cover the Service Veteran Knox had with the RAF.

Private Knox would receive his War Service Gratuity based on 2 years and 238 days Service.

Private Arthur Knox served with the Canadian Army a total of 2 years and 15 days: 10 months in Canada; 3 months in the UK; about 1 year, 5 days in France and 10 days Travel Time.

There is no reference, in Pte Knox’s Military File indicating what Military Medals he was awarded, but based on his Military Service, he would have been awarded the:

Victory Medal; and
British War Medal.
He was also awarded War Service Badge – CEF Class “A”.

An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, 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

ARTHUR BILLINGS KNOX

Arthur Billings Knox was born in Chokoi, Stevens County, Minnesota on July 1, 1896, while the family lived there.  He was the son of Robert Henry Knox and Emma Kilborn.  The family returned to Smith Township in 1904 and Arthur received his education in the local public school and helped on the family farm.  By 1915 the family was living in Lakefield.  At the age of 19 years, Arthur Knox went to Peterborough on November 5, 1915 to enlist to serve his King and country.  On August 31, 1918, Private Knox was transferred to the Cadet Wing of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).  Cadet Knox was appointed to a Temporary Commission as T/2nd Lieutenant (T/2nd) in the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Arthur remained in England after the war and married Ivy Hope on January 19, 1932 in Padiham, Lancashire, England.  She was born on September 22, 1899 in Padiham, Lancashire, England, daughter of Clayton and May Hope.  Arthur passed away on March 9, 1948 in Lancashire, England and Ivy died on November 4, 1979; both are buried in St. James Church Cemetery, Altham, Hyndburn Borough, Lancashire, England.

Arthur Billings Knox was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I.  This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.

FAMILY HISTORY

 Arthur Billings Knox’s paternal grandparents were Robert Henry Knox Sr. born in 1821 and Jane Finney born in 1815.  They lived in Lakefield and Robert was a shoemaker.  They had a family of eight children – Adam, Jane “Jennie”, Sarah “Eliza”, Richmond, Janet Emma, Etta, Robert Henry and Agnes Knox.  Robert passed away on January 8, 1866, age 45 years and Jane Finney died on November 9, 1897; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.

Arthur Knox’s maternal grandparents were Billings Kilborn and Susannah Aird.

 Arthur Knox’s father Robert Henry Knox first married Sarah Ann Woods born in 1864, daughter of Thomas Woods and Christina McGilvray, in Lakefield on February 10, 1886.  A marriage record indicates that Robert Henry Knox next married Emma Kilborn born in 1869, in Peterborough on December 24, 1887.  She was the daughter of Billings Kilborn and Susannah Aird.  This was a double wedding for the Knox family as Robert’s sister Janet Emma Knox married John “Jack” Aitchison Trotter the same day.  The family seemed to move around a lot living in Chandos Township during the 1880s and later moved to Minnesota living there until 1904.  From 1904 until 1918 the family farmed on the 9th line of Smith Township then Robert and his children moved back to the Apsley area.  Robert was a farmer and operated a sawmill.  Robert and Emma had a family of nine children – John Richmond, Robert Harold, Florence Elinor, Arthur, Luella, Leslie, Theodore, Gordon Kenneth and baby daughter Knox born premature.  Sadly Emma passed away on March 19, 1918 age 49 years leaving Robert with a young family.  Robert died January 21, 1942; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.