GEORGE KNIGHTS
Born: 1883, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Died: 5th November 1900; Died of Enteric Fever, at Springfontein, Free State, South Africa.
Residence: 57, Clarence Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 4422.
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment, 3rd Battalion, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony & Orange Free State.
CENSUS
1881 23, Crown Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
George was 8 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Robert Knights, 49, a Sea Mariner, born Carlton Colville, Suffolk.
Jane Knights (nee Butcher), 46, born Lowestoft.
James Knights, 17, a Bricklayer’s Labourer, born Lowestoft.
Florence Knights, 13, born Lowestoft.
William Knights, 10, born Lowestoft.
Horace Buck, 1, a nurse child, born Lowestoft.
George’s brother, Robert Daniel Knights lost his life on the 3rd March 1890, as a result of drowning. On Sunday, 2nd March, Robert, a fisherman, of No. 20, Row 60, Great Yarmouth, set sail at 1 o’clock, from Great Yarmouth as a member of the crew of the drift net fishing boat “Thalia,” No. 1,066, of Great Yarmouth. On Monday afternoon, at 2:45, when about 5 miles distant from Lowestoft, the topsail broke. Robert on his own accord decided to climb up the rigging to clear the topsail yard. He went up the weather side, the boat running before the wind. Robert was not seen as he fell into the water. The Master of “Thalia,” George Harris, of Beach Road, Gorleston-on-Sea, noticed that he was missing and immediately “hove” a line out to him, but he could not reach him. The Mate, Elijah Havell, of Hopton, and another man rowed a boat out to assist, and succeeded to recover Robert who did not sink, but appeared to try and swim. He had, however, his big boots on. Back on board “Thalia” within their knowledge they tried to resuscitate him by rubbing him, but failed to resuscitate Robert.
Father Robert Knights, a general labourer, of 5, St. Margaret’s Road, Lowestoft, identified the body of his 18 year old son.
On the afternoon of Tuesday 4th March, at the Court-house, Coroner Charles Walter Chaston, Esq., held an inquiry. After listening to the evidence the Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death. Coroner Charles Chaston, Esq., remarked that it would be well if those rules which he had seen posted up for restoring animation to apparently drowned persons were given to the skippers of the vessels, so if the men had the technical knowledge to deal with the cases which came into their hands, they might be of great service in restoring life.
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