HUBERT WILLIAM KNIGHT
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image taken from the Evening Star – 10th April 1942
Born: 3rd November 1918, at 33, Albert Road, Kingston, Surrey.
Died: 14th August 1943; age: 24; died of Malnutrition and Dysentery at Camp 3A – Malay Hamlett, as a Japanese PoW on the Thailand-Burma Railway.
Residence: 143, Back Hamlet, Ipswich.
Employed: Professional Footballer on the staff of Ipswich Town Football Club. Hubert played about 9 games in the reserves in the 1937-38 season, including scoring in an 8-7 defeat away at Great Yarmouth. – Extra information courtesy of Ralph of Pride of Anglia – www.prideofanglia.com
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Transferred overland 5th August 1943.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 5828183,
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion, 18th Division.
Originally buried at Malay Hamlett Cemetery, in a joint grave No. 59. Both bodies were exhumed, identified and re-buried together at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, in 1946.
Grave Reference:
Joint Grave 10. B. 7-8.
Thailand.
Joint grave with the body of Russell Purvis West, a Private, NX 59626 for the Australian Infantry, 2/20 Battalion. Russell died from Indigestion on the 14th August 1943, aged 39. Son of Alfred Arthur West & Lucy Maude Bell West (nee Purvis), of Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia.
Image courtesy of Kevin Knights.
Father: William John Knight, born July 1886, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. A Licensed Victualler, formerly an engine fitter.
Mother: Annie Mary Knight (nee Rowlands), born August 1890, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Family home and place of work – ‘Brewery Tap’ P.H., 4-6, Ham Street, Richmond, Surrey.
CENSUS
1921 The Angel, 1, Alpha Road, Surbiton, Surrey.
Hubert was 2 years & 6 months old. He lived with his mother and sister at his maternal grandmother, step-grandfather’s home (and business), and maternal uncle.
Samuel Frank Finn, 49 years & 10 months, a Licensed Victualler – employer, born Isleworth, Middlesex.
Mary Finn (1st marriage Rowlands (nee Davis), 51 years & 2 months, born Nevern, Pembrokeshire.
William John Rowlands, 32 years & 2 months, a Coach Builder – Surrey Coach Builders, of Brighton Road, Surbiton.
Annie Knight, 31 years & 1 month, Home Duties.
Joan Marjorie Knight, 5 years & 2 months, born at 33, Albert Road, Kingston.
Hubert’s grandmother, Mary, was first married in April 1889 to Thomas Rowlands, a shoemaker from Newport.
In 1940, Ipswich, Hubert married Marjorie Olive Hilda Allard, born March 1916, Ipswich, a Machinist – Coat Linings – daughter of Frederick Elijah Allard, a club collector for a drapery establishment and Bertha May Allard (nee Booty), of 143, Back Hamlet, Ipswich.
Probate to William John Knight – father, a Licensed Victualler.
4th Battalions
The Battalions were attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.
15th February 1942: After the Fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken POW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.
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