Great War Dundee
This is Dundee's story of those that served in the First World War, and of the people left at home
We need you to tell us more about the life and times of Alexander Knight
Alexander Knight
Military Information
- Date of enlistment:
- Place of enlistment:
- Service no: Clyde 2/212
- Rank: Able Seaman
- Service Occupation:
- Awards:
- Regiment/Service: H.M.S. Laurentic
- Unit/Ship: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
- Place of Death: Lost at Sea
- Age at Death: 19
- Date of Death: 25.01.1917
- Burial Country:
- Cemetery: Portsmouth Naval Memorial
- Grave/Mem Ref no: Panel 28
Personal Information
- Date of Birth:
- Place of Birth:
- Address: 16 Fort St, Broughty Ferry
- Occupation:
- Mother:
Annie Knight, 16 Fort St, Broughty Ferry
- Father:
Alexander Knight, 16 Fort St, Broughty Ferry
- Siblings:
- Spouse:
- Children:
More about Alexander Knight
Alexander has no known grave but is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Alexander was serving aboard when on the 23 January 1917, the 14,892-ton liner Laurentic, which had been converted into an Armed Auxiliary Cruiser, hit a mine laid by German submarine UB-40 off the coast of Northern Ireland. In her strong rooms were 43 tons of gold, in 3211 separate gold ingots, valued then at more than £5 million, being taken to the United States to pay for food, steel, and munitions which Britain needed to continue the war against Germany. The Laurentic sank so swiftly that 354 of 745 men aboard were lost.
Alexander Knight C2/212 H.M.S. Laurentic
BROUGHTY A.B. LOST WITH THE LAURENTIC.
Mrs Annie Knight, 16 Fort Street, Broughty Ferry, has Received official information that her son, Able Seaman Alexander Knight, is not returned amongst the saved off the Laurentic, and therefore he is concluded to be drowned.
Seaman Knight joined the R.N.V.R. at the beginning of the war, and was in the Clyde Division (Hood Battalion) when Antwerp was taken by the Germans. On his return home he was posted to the Laurentic, and had formed one of the crew for about two years. He was seventeen years of age when he joined up.
Dundee Courier 1st February 1917
Notification has been received by Mrs Knight, Fort Street, Broughty Ferry, that her son, Able Seaman Alexander Knight, had gone down with the Laurentic. He was only 19 years of age, joined the Royal Naval Division on the outbreak of war, and went with that gallant corps to Antwerp. Later he was sent to the Laurentic. He was a fine manly lad of a bright disposition.
Dundee People’s Journal 3rd February 1917
Information supplied by Gary Thomson, additional information and image kindly supplied by Michael Caldwell
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