Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Battery Quarter-Master Sergeant W. A. Knight, Canadian Field Artillery

Military Medal, G.V.R. (41063 Sjt. W. A. Knight, 5/By. Can. F.A.); 1914-15 Star (41063 Bmbr. W. A. Knight, Can. Fd. Art.); British War and Victory Medals (41063 B.Q.M. Sjt. W. A. Knight, C.F.A.), contact marks, fine (4) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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M.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of 17-18 August 1917, at the gun position he remained on duty at the guns during three heavy gas bombardments and extinguished three fires in ammunition pits, thereby saving many rounds of ammunition and preventing the Battery position from being disclosed to the enemy.’

William Ashby Knight was born in Thrapston, Northamptonshire, on 21 December 1890. Living in Montreal, where he was employed as a Wine Drawer, and having previously served for two years in the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, and for three years in the 13th Royal Regiment in Hamilton, he attested for the C.F.A. at Quebec in September 1914. As part of 5th Battery C.F.A., he proceeded to England in October 1914 and was promoted in the Field to Corporal in April 1916, and to Sergeant that June. Awarded the M.M. for the above cited deeds on 17-18 August 1917, he was appointed Acting B.Q.M.S. in February 1918 and discharged at Quebec in May 1919; sold with copied service papers.