Driver Charles Frederick Knight

Charles Frederick Knight was born to parents Charles and Mary Ann (Nee Reynolds) who had married on 22 September 1870 in Rottingdean, Sussex. After marrying they set up home in the town of West Ashling in Sussex where Charles (Snr) worked as a carpenter/joiner. Their first child Alice was born in 1872, followed by Amy in 1873 and Edith in 1875. Charles was their fourth child who was born on the 18th January 1877 and baptised on 17th April 1877 at St. Mary in Funtington, Sussex.

By 1881, the family were living at Laurel Cottage, in Funtington, with their four children. Charles (Snr) worked as a Builder employing eight men and two boys.

In 1884, their second child Amy died aged 11. By 1886 another child called Maud had been born.

By 1891, Charles was now aged 14 and still living in West Ashling with his parents and youngest sister Maud aged five. Elder sister Edith was away working in a Dress shop in Weybridge.

By 1896, Charles aged 19 was serving in the Military and by 22nd April 1899 had enlisted in Portsmouth for the Army Service Corps. He was described as 5ft 4 ¼ tall, with a fresh complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. By 1901, Charles was a soldier, in Portsmouth at the Colewort Barracks.

His parents and Maud remained living in Funtington, Sussex. His mother Mary Ann died the following year in May 1902.

In 1908 Charles has now left the army as records show he was living at 23a Bruce Road in Mitcham and working as a carpenter /joiner.

Charles married Annie Amelia Seddon in the summer of 1909 in Elham in Kent. Within a few months, their first child Gertrude, was born in Folkestone.

By 1911, Charles aged 34 and Annie listed as aged 24 were living at 2 High Street Building in Dorking. They were living in two rooms and Charles was still working as a Carpenter /joiner. Of their two children, one had died. The following month Charles re-joined the army.

By 1913, Charles and his family were now living at 49 Ferlea Road in Mitcham.

Charles served throughout the war and was awarded the Victory medal and British war medal. He died suddenly whilst on demobilization leave on 28th March 1919 aged 41 from cardiac failure and bronchi pneumonia. Possible a victim of the flu epidemic, which was sweeping the country.

He was buried at Mitcham Parish church, St. Peter and St. Pauls. His name also appears on the Stone Cross remembering those that had died during the Great War. Charles’s widow Annie was awarded a widow’s pension of 50 shilling and 2 pence for herself and three children. She was still residing at 49 Fernlea Road, Mitcham.

In October 1936 Charles's widow Annie married Ernest B Nagle in Elham in Kent.