More about Alexander Knight

Alexander has no known grave but is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He was serving aboard H.M.P.M.S. Queen of the North which was a Paddle Steamer operating as an Auxiliary Minesweeper when she struck a mine laid by German Submarine UC-4 on 20.07.1917 in the North Sea, N.E. of the Shipwash Lightship, sinking with the loss of 29 of her crew.

Alex Knight   3286SD   Royal Naval Reserve

Broughty Seaman’s Death.

Seaman Alex. Knight, Broughty Ferry, attached to a mine-sweeper, has lost his life on service.  His widow, Mrs Knight, Lawrence Street, received official intimation on Tuesday.  The deceased, prior to joining the navy in 1915, was a bleacher, and from his 16th year till then was in the service of Messrs M’Intyre, Baluniefield.  He was 39 years of age, and leaves a family of three.  He was an active member of the Dundee Street Club and Bible Class

Broughty Ferry Guide 27th July 1917

Alexander Knight was the husband of Mrs Elizabeth Knight of 2 Lawrence Street, Broughty Ferry and the son of Mr Alexander and Mrs Elizabeth Knight of Broughty Ferry. He joined the Royal Naval Reserve at the Customs House in Dundee in November 1915. He was drafted to HMS Victory, the Naval Barracks in Portsmouth and then to HMS Ganges. Here he served in HMS Queen of the North, a hired paddle minesweeper. She struck a mine near the Shipwash Lightship off Harwich with the loss of 29 of her crew. Alexander Knight is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common. Three Broughty Ferry men named Alexander Knight died in the Naval Services during the First World War.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie