Hughie Knowles #219014 was born Sept. 29, 1888 to Hugh and Jennie (Baird) Knowles in Poland, ON. He was the oldest sibling of Bertha, Harvey, Jennie, William, Samuel, and Grace. He and his parents moved to Merrickville, ON where he married Mable Warren of Harper, ON on Dec. 12, 1911. He was a 5’7 accountant, with the Percival Plow Company, with brown eyes, dark brown hair, but balding in front, and Presbyterian.
Hughie enlisted April 22, 1916 in Belleville, ON when he went to see his younger brother, William, leave for France. He decided to join at that point and left with his brother with the 80th battalion. They sailed out of Halifax on May 16 on the SS Baltic and arrived in England on May 29. He and his brother joined the 74th battalion. On June 20th, Hughie wrote his will leaving everything to his wife. On July 17, 1916, they were both assigned to the 102nd battalion and left for France on Aug. 11. Hughie was hospitalized from Nov 25-28 due to a muscle strain. On April 9, 1917, Hughie Knowles died at Vimy Ridge.
On April 9, 1917, the 11th Brigade consisting of the 102nd and the 54th with the 85th in reserve were tasked with seizing the right side of Hill 145, the strongest German point at Vimy Ridge. The 54th and 102nd quickly took the first German trench but the left side of the hill was maintained by the Germans throughout the battle who forced the 54th back out, but the 102nd maintained their position. Eventually, with support, the Canadians forced the German troops completely out of the hill.
Hughie Knowles, with his brother, were killed in maintaining their position on Hill 145 on April 9, 1917 while with the 102nd battalion at the age of 28. He was with a Lewis gun crew and was killed by an enemy shell just after taking their objective. He was buried at Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery in Calais, France, grave reference A.10. The cemetery, originally called CD 1,* contains the graves of soldiers all of whom fell on the 9th April 1917, or on one of the four following days. There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The cemetery covers an area of 849 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall. * The numerous groups of graves made about this time by the Canadian Corps Burial Officer were, as a rule, not named but serially lettered and numbered. His decorations, medals, plaque, scroll, and Memorial Cross went to his wife who initially moved to Perth on Sept. 11, 1916 then to 488 Bolivar St. Peterboro, ON at his death. His mother, Jennie, also received a Memorial Cross. His wife was considered a dependent and received his pay and pension.
He is commemorated on page 270 of the Book of Remembrance, the Merrickville Memorial Project, and the Lanark Legion Honour Roll.
Hughie enlisted April 22, 1916 in Belleville, ON when he went to see his younger brother, William, leave for France. He decided to join at that point and left with his brother with the 80th battalion. They sailed out of Halifax on May 16 on the SS Baltic and arrived in England on May 29. He and his brother joined the 74th battalion. On June 20th, Hughie wrote his will leaving everything to his wife. On July 17, 1916, they were both assigned to the 102nd battalion and left for France on Aug. 11. Hughie was hospitalized from Nov 25-28 due to a muscle strain. On April 9, 1917, Hughie Knowles died at Vimy Ridge.
On April 9, 1917, the 11th Brigade consisting of the 102nd and the 54th with the 85th in reserve were tasked with seizing the right side of Hill 145, the strongest German point at Vimy Ridge. The 54th and 102nd quickly took the first German trench but the left side of the hill was maintained by the Germans throughout the battle who forced the 54th back out, but the 102nd maintained their position. Eventually, with support, the Canadians forced the German troops completely out of the hill.
Hughie Knowles, with his brother, were killed in maintaining their position on Hill 145 on April 9, 1917 while with the 102nd battalion at the age of 28. He was with a Lewis gun crew and was killed by an enemy shell just after taking their objective. He was buried at Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery in Calais, France, grave reference A.10. The cemetery, originally called CD 1,* contains the graves of soldiers all of whom fell on the 9th April 1917, or on one of the four following days. There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The cemetery covers an area of 849 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall. * The numerous groups of graves made about this time by the Canadian Corps Burial Officer were, as a rule, not named but serially lettered and numbered. His decorations, medals, plaque, scroll, and Memorial Cross went to his wife who initially moved to Perth on Sept. 11, 1916 then to 488 Bolivar St. Peterboro, ON at his death. His mother, Jennie, also received a Memorial Cross. His wife was considered a dependent and received his pay and pension.
He is commemorated on page 270 of the Book of Remembrance, the Merrickville Memorial Project, and the Lanark Legion Honour Roll.