Sidney Knights

Lieutenant Sidney Arthur William Knights MC (1898 – 1 April 1968) was an English World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1]

Sidney Arthur William Knights
Born1898
Lavender Hill, London, England
Died1 April 1968 (aged 69–70)
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service1916–1919
RankLieutenant
UnitYork and Lancaster Regiment
No. 62 Squadron RFC/RAF
Battles/warsWorld War I
 • Western Front
AwardsMilitary Cross

Military service

Knights was commissioned from cadet into the York and Lancaster Regiment as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 7 July 1916.[2] He served in France with the 13th Battalion,[1] winning the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 13 December. His citation read:

Temporary Second Lieutenant Sidney Arthur William Knights, York and Lancaster Regiment.
"For conspicuous gallantry in action. During a raid on the enemy's trenches he showed marked courage and determination in leading his men. He set a splendid example throughout."[3]

He was promoted to lieutenant on 7 January 1918,[4] and soon moved to the Royal Flying Corps, being appointed a flying officer (observer) and transferred to the RFC General List on 16 March 1918, with seniority backdated to 27 January.[5]

Knights was posted to No. 62 Squadron on 10 March 1918, and served as observer/gunner with pilot George Everard Gibbons, flying a Bristol F.2b two-seater fighter. Between 12 March and 28 May they accounted for eight enemy aircraft, including three on 3 May and two on 28 May. Knights was hospitalized on 10 July 1918, and saw no further successes.[1]

Knights left the RAF post-war, being transferred to the unemployed list on 14 March 1919.[6]

References
  1. "Sidney Arthur William Knights". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  2. "No. 29693". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 August 1916. p. 7661.
  3. "No. 13025". The Edinburgh Gazette. 13 December 1916. p. 2332.
  4. "No. 30608". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 April 1918. p. 4072.
  5. "No. 30637". The London Gazette. 16 April 1918. p. 4702.
  6. "No. 31802". The London Gazette. 2 March 1920. p. 2465.
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