John Thomas Kneebone (Jack) (1896–1917)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 70459 10th & 17th Battalions

Photo courtesy Brenda Newman

John Thomas Kneebone in WW1

Biography
Jack was born at Crich in about 1896; his parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Kneebone of East View, Crich. Before joining the Army he worked at Manor Colliery, South Wingfield.

Photo courtesy Peter Byard

Photo of Manor Colliery

Manor Colliery where John Kneebone worked

Jack was one of the first to enlist, doing so in August 1914. Initially he was a military policeman in Ireland, before being drafted to France. He died 20th September 1917 aged twenty-one, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial near Ypres. The Derbyshire Times reported him as missing (presumed dead) but they appear to have his regiment incorrectly stated as the Royal Field Artillery rather than the Sherwood Foresters.

Kneebone John Thomas –  Killed during The Battle of Menin Road Ridge 20–25 September 1917 wilst serving in the 39th Division. He first served in 10th battalion.

"The Division attacked with one Brigade at 5.40am – 117 Brigade  assaulted with 17th Sherwood Foresters, supported by 16th Sherwood Foresters and 16th Rifle Brigade, the 17th King’s Royal Rifle Corps were in reserve. On the right the Foresters pushed on to the western edge of Bulgar Wood, taking a number of blockhouses on the way to the Red Line. At 7.00am the advance continued. The KRRC cleared dug-outs on the way to taking the blue line while the Foresters came under fire from the north-east. By 7.45 am the objective was reached". (Passchendaele the day by day account by Chris McCarthy)

[With thanks to Steve Morse]

Medal Roll Index Cards
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.

Newpaper Reports

Derbyshire Courier, 4 September 1917
CRICH CASUALTIES
Considerable anxiety is felt by Mr and Mrs T. Kneebone, of the Common, Crich, with regard to the whereabouts of their eldest son, Private John T. Kneebone, Sherwoods. Nothing has been heard from him since 18 September, when he sent a field card to say he was well. As a result of an enquiry the Lichfield Records Office informs of Mr Kneebone that his son was posted as missing are on 20 September. Private Kneebone, who is 21 years of age, is a finely built young fellow. He was one of the first batch of recruits to enlist from Crich, having joined up in September 1914. For a while he was a military policeman in Ireland, and fifteen months ago he was drafted to France.

Derbyshire Times , 10 November 1917
CRICH SOLDIER MISSING
Mr and Mrs Thomas Kneebone, of Crich Common, have received news from the military authorities at Lichfield that their eldest son, Pte. John Thos. Kneebone who is a gunner in the R.F.A has been missing for about eight weeks. He enlisted in August 1914 and previous to joining the Army was employed at the Manor Colliery, South Wingfield. He is single and 23 years of age.

Derbyshire Courier, 10 November 1917

John Kneebone

Derbyshire Courier 13 November 1917
CRICH CASUALTIES
Considerable anxiety is felt by Mr and Mrs T. Kneebone, of the Common, Crich, with regard to the whereabouts of their eldest son, Private John T. Kneebone, Sherwoods. Nothing has been heard from him since 18th September, when he sent a field card to say he was well. As a result of an enquiry the Lichfield Record Office informs Mr Kneebone that his son was posted as missing on 20 September. Private Kneebone, who is 21 years of age, is a finely built young fellow. He was one of the first batch of recruits to enlist from Crich, having joined up in September 1914. For a while he was a military policeman in Ireland, and fifteen months ago he was drafted to France.

Postcards of the first Crich volunteers, October 1914

Crich nolunteers in October 1914

Ian P. Macdonald; William Burr; William Curzon; John Walker; Nelson Martin;
Jack Kneebone; William Frost; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Cauldwell;
Jack Porter; George Perry; Noble Tomlinson

Crich volunteers into the Forseters 1914

Included with these recruits are: Ian Macdonald; Billy Curzon; Jack Porter; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Kneebone;
Billy Burr; Noble Tomlinson; Tom Coleman; Billy Frost; Luke Coleman; Jack Cauldwell; George Perry.
It is believed that John Roe, brothers Herbert and Steven Bollington (and possibly John) are also amongst this group.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Name KNEEBONE, JOHN THOMAS
Initials J T
Nationality United Kingdom
Rank Private
Regiment/Service Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Unit 17th Bn
Ages 21
Date of Death 20/09/17
Service No 70459
Additional Information Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Kneebone, of 10, East View, The Common, Crich, Matlock, Derbyshire.
Casualty type Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A.
Cemetery TYNE COT MEMORIAL
War Craves certificate for Jack Kneebone in ww1

Soldiers' Effects Book
John Thomas Kneebone; Notts & Derby Regt; Private 70459; killed on since 20.9.17 death presumed; War Gratuity £14; paid out to:
2.12.18 mother Elizabeth £16 10s 2d
4.1.19 mother Elizabeth £14 0s 0d

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Thomas Kneebone Head 38 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Elizabeth Kneebone wife 35   Leeds
Jane Kneebone daughter 16 Cotton cardroom hand Crich
Emma Kneebone daughter 7   Crich
John Kneebone son 5   Crich
Mary Kneebone daughter 2   Crich
Amy Kneebone daughter 3mo   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 19 page 30

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Thomas Kneebone Head 49 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Elizabeth Kneebone wife 44   Leeds
Emma Kneebone daughter 17 Hosiery minder Crich
John T Kneebone son 14 Colliery horse driver underground Crich
Mary E Kneebone daughter 12 School Crich
Amy Kneebone daughter 10 School Crich
Walter Kneebone son 4   Crich
William Kneebone son 1   Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN68