Alexander Knott



Sep 25, 1876

Born on the Curve Lake First Nation Reserve as a member of the Anishinaabe Nation, to Zachariah and Angeline (nee La Ronde) Knott

 

Apr 25, 1916

Attested into the 93rd Battalion CEF in Peterborough, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 195931

Ø  Next of kin given as Zacharia Knott, father, Chemong, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

On attesting, he lied about his age and stated his birth year was 1884 instead of his actual birth year of 1876

Initial training was done in Peterborough, Ontario

 

May 29, 1916

The battalion boarded a train and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp

 

Jul 15, 1916

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Jul 25, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Otterpool Camp

 

Oct 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

 

Oct 27, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 28, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21st Battalion

 

Nov 21, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

 

Dec 12, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Knott joined the 21st Battalion in the front line, west of Lens, France

 

Apr 9, 1917

During the attack on Vimy Ridge, France, Private Knott received a slight shrapnel wound to his right leg and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid then transported to a casualty clearing station for further treatment

 

Apr 11, 1917

Transferred to the No. 32 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France

 

Apr 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital and joined the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne, France

 

Apr 17, 1917

Discharged to the base details on Boulogne

 

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

 

Apr 26, 1917

Left the base depot to rejoin the 21st Battalion

 

May 9, 1917

While occupying the front line on Vimy Ridge, Private Knott suffered from the effects of a gas attack and was evacuated to the No. 14 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

 

May 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital in Le Treport, France

 

May 14, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the War Hospital in Huddersfield

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Jul 10, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton

 

Oct 12, 1917

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Seaford for physical training and exercise

 

Dec 12, 1917

Medical exam in Seaford notes

Ø  complains of chest pain and shortness of breath

Ø  is unable to carry on with physical training

Ø  Physical condition is poor

Ø  Has a systolic heart murmur

Ø  Is not likely to improve in 6 months

 

Dec 22, 1917

Discharged from the command depot and joined the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

 

Dec 24, 1917

Admitted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital in Eastbourne with a  diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

 

Feb 13, 1918

Discharged from hospital and joined the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

 

Feb 15, 1918

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

Feb 26, 1918

Embarked the SS Thislehurst (formerly the SS Canada) in Liverpool

 

 

Mar 16, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

 

Apr 6, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Peterborough, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Curve Lake, Ontario

 

Apr 17, 1918

Married to Susie Smoke in Peterborough, Ontario

 

Mar 5, 1944

Alexander Knott died of exposure while he was trying to walk home to the Curve Lake Indian Reservation from Peterborough, Ontario.  Drunk at the time, he collapsed on the side of the road and died.  He was buried in the Curve Lake Cemetery, Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario

 

 

Alexander Knott’s service is honoured on the Curve Lake War Memorial

 

 

 


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