L's great great uncle was Trooper Warner Thomas Varnham Knight, 58431.
Warner was the youngest child of Thomas and Jessie Knight. His father claimed to have been the first European settler in the Rangitikei Line, Palmerston, settling there in 1874 while his mother was the daughter of Captain John Varnham.
On 4 September 1917 Warner's name was drawn in the 10th ballot, being one of 15 000 men conscripted to join the New Zealand forces. Warner was reluctant to go to war, but duly enlisted on 7 September 1917. At the time, he was a 27 year old self employed dairy farmer. Warner had been married to wife Charlotte Beatrice Knight (nee Wilson) for almost two years when he enlisted. Charlotte was originally from Canada. Their farm was situated in Newbury, Palmerston North.
Initially, Warner appealed his drafting. However, after failing to turn up to his Military Appeal Board hearing on 4 October 1917, where his case could be discussed, he was compelled to go. Warner spent some time in training at Featherston, starting on 17 October 1917.
Warner was the youngest child of Thomas and Jessie Knight. His father claimed to have been the first European settler in the Rangitikei Line, Palmerston, settling there in 1874 while his mother was the daughter of Captain John Varnham.
On 4 September 1917 Warner's name was drawn in the 10th ballot, being one of 15 000 men conscripted to join the New Zealand forces. Warner was reluctant to go to war, but duly enlisted on 7 September 1917. At the time, he was a 27 year old self employed dairy farmer. Warner had been married to wife Charlotte Beatrice Knight (nee Wilson) for almost two years when he enlisted. Charlotte was originally from Canada. Their farm was situated in Newbury, Palmerston North.
Initially, Warner appealed his drafting. However, after failing to turn up to his Military Appeal Board hearing on 4 October 1917, where his case could be discussed, he was compelled to go. Warner spent some time in training at Featherston, starting on 17 October 1917.
Warner embarked on a troopship on 10 October 1918 as a Trooper with the 40th Reinforcements, Mounted Rifles Brigade. He disembarked in Suez on 22 November 1918, 11 days after the armistice was signed to end the war. We he arrived in Egypt, Warner was sent to Isol Camp in Moascar.
On 21 January 1919 Warner embarked in Malta for the return trip to New Zealand soil. He arrived back on 26 February 1919 and was officially discharged from service the same day after serving a total of 1 year and 133 days. He returned to his farm in the Newbury/Kairanga area, on the outskirts of Palmerston North.
Warner passed away on 29 March 1949 aged 59 years. He was buried at the Terrence End Cemetery, Palmerston North Block 024, Plot 054. Charlotte died in 1957, aged 76, and her ashes are buried in the same plot as her husband. It appears that Warner and Charlotte had no children.
Sources of information
Online Cenotaph Records - Auckland War Memorial Museum
Archives NZ - Archway Record R18057959
Geni - Knight Family history
Palmerston City Council Cemetery Search
Geni - Knight Family history
Palmerston City Council Cemetery Search
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