Major James Leadbitter Knott DSO

In Memory of

Major JAMES LEADBITTER KNOTT DSO

10th Bn., West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

who died age 33
on 1st July 1916

Son of Sir James Knott, 1st Bart., and Lady Knott, of Close House, Wylam-on-Tyne.

Remembered with honour

YPRES RESERVOIR CEMETERY

James Leadbitter Knott was one of three brothers who fought in the Great War. The first brother fought at Gallipoli, and the second died with the Northumberland Fusiliers at Ypres in 1915. Major Knott was second in command of the 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, and was killed moving forward with his battalion in the attack on Fricourt on 1st July 1916. He was originally buried on the battlefield with other members of his battalion, including the commanding officer and Adjutant, but in the early 1920s, his father Sir James Knott made arrangements with the Imperial War Graves Commission to have his body exhumed and buried alongside his brother at Ypres. This is the only known recording incident of this happening after the war.

A war-time publication 'Hyde in war-time' includes the following details about James Leadbitter Knott:

 Immediately after war broke out Mr J. Leadbitter Knott, the prospective Unionist candidate for the Hyde Division, took his place beside those gallant and true Britishers who were ready to put their own personal convenience and interests aside and fight for the honour and security of their country. In Mr. Knott’s case it was an unusually great sacrifice. He held the position of deputy-Managing Director of the Prince Line of steam­ ships, of which his father, Mr. James Knott, was the founder and Managing Director. Before leaving his home at Wylam-on-Tyne, Mr. Knott sent a message that stirred the hearts of the people of the Borough, and also a donation of £25, to Hyde’s War Fund. Mr. Knott first obtained a commission as Second- Lieutenant, and later was promoted to the rank of full Lieutenant, and then to Captain, while in January, 1916, it was officially reported that he had been further elevated to the rank of Major. After a course of training, Major Knott went to France with the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers. Both of his two brothers joined the colours, one being killed in France , and the other met a soldier’s death while serving with the New Zealand contingent at the Dardanelles . In each case the sad event happened in 1915. Major Knott was hut a short distance from his brother in France when the latter was killed by a German shell. Their father was a reserve naval officer, and at the commencement of the war offered his services, which were not accepted owing to the age limit. Major Knott’s patriotic action, in conjunction with that of both of his brothers, was a proof that men of influence and wealth have placed the interests of the Country and the welfare of the people, before everything else. Major Knott went through much severe fighting in France . The glorious spirit which animated him stood out in magnificent relief when, in March, 1916, he was written to asking if he wished to come over and contest the Parliamentary seat for the Hyde Division vacated by the late Member. The gallant Major’s ideal was far above personal ambitions. Party politics were to him of little significance compared with the vital interests of his Country and the Empire, and he replied stating that his duty was in France .

   Before joining the Army, Major Knott traveled in various parts of the world, including the United States , North Africa, and Portuguese South Africa; as well as in France , Belgium , Holland , Germany , Austria , Serbia , Bulgaria , Turkey and Italy . He was, therefore, well acquainted with many of the important theatres of the Great War. Even at the time the war started he had made a deep and lasting impression upon the people of Hyde, and his patriotism, gallantry and exemplary manliness created immense esteem for him. In May 1916, Major Knott was still in France, unwounded and in excellent health, his friends in the town, including men of all parties and every denomination, were earnestly hoping that he might be spared through the war, and he enabled in due course to take up the threads of his association with Hyde which had been so rudely broken when the great clash of arms and the roar of the guns began.

Today the graves are found side by side at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Flanders.