Harry
Ernest Knight was born in Kennington, London, on the 21st of October 1878. In
civilian life, he worked as a 'Builder's Assistant'. He joined the Royal Navy
on the 21st of October 1896, signing on for 12 years initially.
During
the Great War, while serving on board HMS Ghurka as a Petty Officer, Knight was
awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The award was for his part in sinking
U8 on the 4th March 1915 off the coast of Dover. U8 became caught in
anti-submarine nets. After an attempt by HMS Viking to use her explosive
anti-submarine sweep, which failed, HMS Ghurka successfully detonated hers,
forcing U8 to the surface. The German
crew quickly surrendered, and the Submarine was scuttled.
From
his service papers, it seems that Knight was one of only five survivors from
HMS Ghurka. She hit a mine off the coast of Dungeness on the 8th of February
and sunk with the loss of 74 of her crew.
He
spent the rest of the war onshore establishments and was pensioned to shore on
Christmas Day 1919. He quickly joined the Royal Fleet Reserve.
At
the time of the 1939 census, Knight lived at 14 Market Place, Ringwood, Hampshire
and was an Innkeeper. He passed away aged 72 in 1950.
