710 Private Wilfred Knight, AIF, 6/4/1890-(27-29)/4/1915.

Wilfred Victor Knight was the first New Zealander to die on the battlefield of Gallipoli.  Actually, he did not die there, but he received his fatal wound in the first days of teh battle.  How do we know that he was the first New zealander?  Despite the confusion of the early days of the campaign it can be known because Wilfred arrived before any other New Zealand forces.  Wilfred, living in Australia when war broke out, enlisted with the Australian Army.

Early mentions of a younger Wilfred indicate a young man of spirit:

WAIPORI BACHELORS' BALL.

We are indebted to "Polly Wog" for the following interesting account of the above social event: — 

The bachelors' ball is our most important social function and is looked forward to by all as the event of the year, and only something specially outrageous in the way of weather can mar its success when the date is once fixed. The present year's ball was held on the 10th inst., over 50 couples attending. Frozen snow had been lying on the ground for the previous fortnight and a slight thaw had just sufficiently broken it up to make everything sloppy underfoot, the night was clear and cold, and everyone turned up in good spirits. Previous balls had surpassed this one in the way of elaborate dressing, but none were more enjoyable. The bachelors spared no expense or trouble to make the evening a success. The hall was prettily decorated with curtains and foliage, and the catering, which was in the hands of Mrs Wilson, left nothing to be desired. It is rather a pity that the committee did not insist on fancy dress only. Most of those present took advantage of the notification "plain and fancy dress" to turn up in ordinary attire. The few who donned fancy costume, however brightened up the room wonderfully with the colors they sported. Amongst the ladies Miss Lizzie Bertenshaw made the only serious attempt at disguise in the character of a school-mistress and scored decidedly, while Miss Nellie. Webb as "poppies" displayed the bright red of that flower to advantage, the effect being helped with a liberal distribution of Shirley poppy blooms over the costume. Miss Tree, from the Waipori bush, was a charming streak of happiness and. smiles in white silk and filled the bill very appropriately as a woodland fairy. Very few of those not in fancy dress made any serious attempt at elaborate dressing, and it would be difficult to pick the best. Miss M. Black and Miss Emmy Cartwright both caught the eye in different compositions of cream silk, while Miss M. Lomas (white silk), Miss Nellie O'Brien (pink silk), Miss Bollon and Miss A. Mclntyre (white silk) all looked well in the running. Misses Howell (from Lee Flat), white silk blouses and dark skirts; Miss Nellie Searle, white; Misses Amy, Elsie, and Agnes Crowley, white; Miss Annie Crowley, dark grey costume; Miss Geary, white; Miss Mclntyre, white blouse and dark skirt; Miss Nicholson, brown costume; Miss Minnie Todd, silk blouse and brown skirt; Miss S. Webb, green patterned costume; Miss Hynes, dark grey; Miss Annie Dunbar, white silk blouse and green skirt: Miss Reeves, white dress. The gents seemed more inclined to display their charms in unusual costumes, and their efforts added not a little to the gaiety of the evening. The greatest success in the way of disguise was scored by Mr Wilf. Knight as "Miss Smith." In an elaborate lady's toilet he took part in several dances before the gents discovered in their partner one of their own "sect." He played his part to perfection, and, as his identity became known, caused no little merriment by his lady-like conduct. Mr R. J. Cotton, Lord Nelson, Mr James Cotton, a King Charles courtier; Mr Bosker-Piper, as a Highlander, looked stalwart enough to push a truck; Mr Pearson, fireman; Mr Chas. Nicholson, Pierrot; while Mr Kirkwood, as a footballer, looked charming in new boot laces and a necktie. Mr Johnson, as a gravedigger from "Hamlet," cultivated a becoming air of sadness, but worked off the gloom in a little speech of thanks to the bachelors for their turnout. The gathering broke up at 5 a.m. with everyone sorry to leave it.  -Tuapeka Times, 18/8/1906.

Cycling and Montoring Notes

Messrs J. H. Smith (manager of J. G. Ward and Co., Gore) and W. H. Fleming (of Fleming and Co., Ltd., also of Gore), who are touring the goldfields, arrived at Waipori on the 12th inst. in a 6 h.p. De Dion Bouton motor car. This is the first motor car to reach Waipori, and its appearance caused no little excitement. It is no very easy matter fot a motor to traverse the Bung Town road. After submitting to the attentions of the amateur photographer, Messrs Smith and Fleming kindly gave a number of the school children and seme, of the "grown-ups" a ride on the good stretch of road between the township and the school. Both young and old, some of whom had never before seen a motor car, were highly pleased to be able to say they had ridden in the first car that came to Waipori. Next morning Messrs Smith and Fleming, along with Wilfred Knight, jun., whom they kindly invited to accompany them, drove to the Waipori Bush, where they were courteously received and hospitably treated by Mr Keon, the engineer in charge of the Dunedin City electric power-works, and shown through the power-house and over the works. The party were pleased to find their car was also the first one to visit the Waipori Bush.   -Otago Witness, 21/11/1906.

Local and General

At the last meeting of the Loyal Waipori Lodge (Bro. S. J. Gare in the chair) letters were read from N.G. Bro. G. S. Knight and V.G. Bro. S. Wm. Knight resigning their offices as they had joined the Expeditionary Forces. A letter was also read from Bro. W. V. Knight, who is in New South Wales, stating that he had joined the forces at Sydney. Bro. George Russell moved, and Bro. R. H. Blackmore seconded, "That the resignations be accepted with regret and that this Lodge expresses its high appreciation of the self-sacrificing devotion to the welfare o£ the British Empire shown by Bros. E. S. Knight, S. W. Knight and W. V. Knight in joining the Expeditionary Forces which are to be used in this the greatest war the world has ever known." The action of the district executive in voting £100 to the War Fund was approved of. Permanent secretary F. W. Knight was appointed delegate to represent the Lodge at the district meeting to be held at Oamaru on 23rd and 24th September.  -Tuapeka Times, 19/9/1914.

Photo from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19150513-38-24 

With the Australians in Egypt

A WAIPORI BOY'S EXPERIENCE.

We have been permitted to make the following extracts from letters from Wilfred W Knight, First Battallion, First Infantry Brigade, Australian Expedionary forces, a son of Mr F W Knight, Waipori.

On Board ship Afric. We left Sydney on Sunday, l8th October, and arrived at Albany on 24th October. The New Zealand fleet arrived two or three days later. They anchored at the entrance to King George Sound while we were well down towards the town. We iwent alongside the wharf and took in water which occupied us nearly all day. The battalion went for a march through the town, but as I was on guard I missed the parade. We were in Albany exactly 1 week and left there on Sunday, 1st November, along with the New Zealand fleet. The complete fleet was a grand sight, there were thirty-eight transports in three lines along with the escorting warships. One steamed full speed to the left of us and on out of sight, whilst the other three got on that side and steamed up and down the lines. About an hour aiterwards we got a "wireless" that, H.M.A.S. Sydney had engaged the Emden and caused her to beach herself, and was then after the collier. We then got word that she had removed the crew of the collier and then sank her. Things went along as usual after that till we got to Colombo on November 15th, another Sunday. Colombo is a lovely looking place. There are some big buildings, half Oriental in style, nestling among trees of all shades of green. The New Zealand ships went near the wharf here, but we anchored in the bay. I was impressed with the sight of an English war ship, an Australian, (the H.M.A.S. Sydney) a Japanese, and a Russian, all lying alongside of each other. Natives came alongside selling fruit, &c., and others dived for coins thrown overboard.

We left Colombo on the 17th and steamed over a sea like glass till we came to Aden, sighting the island of Socotra on the way. Wie arrived at Aden on the 25th November. It is the most barren-looking place I have seen. We anchored a good way out from the town. The New Zealand fleet left us here and we did not see them again till we got to Suez. We left Aden on the 20th and had an uneventful trip through the Red Sea. After leaving Colombo the firemen were unuble to keep up steam and parties of the soldiers were told off to give them a hand. We arrived at Suez on 1st December and saw the New Zealand fleet there, but they left the day we arrived. We left Suez on the 2nd December at mid-day, passing close by a huge French battleship. The entrance to the Suez Canal is very interesting. We passed within a stones throw of three or four blocks of Government buildings right on the point. After entering the canal it is real desert country on both sides except about every five miles where there is a station or Gare surrounded by trees. The canal is 87 miles long and guarded by Indian troops who gave us a cheer as we passed. They are Ghurkas and look like smart soldiers. They are dressed in khaki, with short pants (like football pants), and stockings. Their knees are bare. There were barbed wire entanglements at some places.

We arrived at Port Said early on December 3rd and berthed alongside the town all day. In the evening we shifted to about two miles from the town. We had a good view of the main street from where we were, and it was very amusing to watch the natives. The Native troops are peculiar - a number of them are on guard on the wharf; they carry rifles and are dressed in a blue uniform with red facings and brass buttons, small leather gaiters, red fez caps, and white haversacks. They are fairly big, pitch black, and they look well. The town is patrolled by Ghurkas. I have taken a fancy to them, they are short, sturdy, jolly fellows.

At 7 a.m. on the 6th December we arrived at Alexandria. All the New Zealand boats were there. No 7 H.M.N.Z.T., the Limerick, was lying about 100 yds from us - she had artillery on board. We learned semaphore signalling coming over so I signalled to her to find who was on board. A man signalled back and said he was Sergt. Robinson from Invercargill, whereupon I asked him if he know my brother Fred at Invercargill. He answered "Yes," and signalled also that he had played football with Fred for two seasons. I told him I had another brother on the Ruapehu and he replied that he would look him up. I cannot see No. 5 or No. 9 N.Z. troop ships. The harbour is big and there are troopships all over the place. Inside the breakwater is very busy. We cannot see much of the town from where we are, but on our left is a big Eastern looking building which looks like a temple, or palace. We are to go on shore tomorrow (Sunday) on church parade. If I go I shall have a chance to post this letter. We are under active service conditions now, and the sentries are armed with ball amimunition. This afternoon three of our men got down a rope into a boat and were going ashore when the sentry fired at them, and if you had seen the way the Egyptian boatman turned and rowed back you would have laughed. He looked as if trying to break the world's record. I notice the New Zealanders on the Limerick are going ashore, but no such luck lor us. 

We disembarked at Alexandria on the 8th and went on to Cairo by train. The whole way the line runs over the delta of the Nile, every inch of it cultivated. The crops are mostly corn, vegetables, and sugar cane. The people are very primitive in their ways; they plough with a couple of water buffaloes and a wooden plough. There are roads all along the railway line. You pass camel trains and donkeys by the dozen. The women carry the loads and the men walk ahead. If they have a donkey the man rides and the women walk behind. We passed some villages all made with dried mud with flat roofs, and goats and hens were to be seen running about on the roofs. We arrived at Cairo in a shower of rain. Each man walked past a stall and was given a roll of bread, a bit of cheese, and a mug of cocoa — the best cocoa I ever tasted. This was donated to us by the French residents. The bread was in rolls about 18in long and 2 1/2in in diameter — just like you see it in the moving pictures. We then entrained and went to our camp at Mena, ten miles from Cairo and close to the Pyramids. The train runs through a part o£ the native quarter which is very dirty. We crossed the Nile on a fine bridge and ran through cultivated land till we came to the town of Gizeh where the zoological gardens are, then on to the terminus at the foot of the rise that the Pyramids are built on. We had to march about half a mile after leaving the train to reach our camp which is right under the shadow of the Pyramids. The camp is on the sand and when you stand with your back to Cairo there is nothing but sand as far as you can see. The New Zealanders are camped at Heliopolus, four miles on the other side of Cairo from where we are. I went into Cairo last night and got lost, but I wandered round till I found myself again, and got back to camp about 11.30 p.m. The whole of the Australian contingent with the exception of the light horse are camped here; there are about 16,000 of us. This will give you some idea of the size of our camp. This is only a rough note I am writing to let you know where we are. We are not settled down yet. I forgot to mention that I have already had a ride on a camel. You can hire one for half-a-day for 4s and take it out yourself without a driver.

Mena Camp, Dec. 26th. It is reported that we are to leave for France in about six weeks' time, but somehow I don't think we will; they are making this camp too permanent to leave it soon, big wooden mess-rooms have been built and two concrete reservoirs, and have also installed pumps. They are making stone roads about the camp with the aid of a steam roller. The stone is got from a quarry about half-a-mile from the camp. It is brought on tram lines with iron trucks that side-tip like those that were used at the O.P.Q. mine, perhaps the camp is intended for the second and following contingents. The French residents at Cairo are very enthusiastic over us and do all they can to help us. I have spoken to a good many of them and most have relatives at the front. Of the rest of the white population the majority are Italian, Greek, or Armenian; there are not many English residents. The tramways are run by a Belgian company, whilst the railways are run by the State. The tramcar I went into town on yesterday was composed of a motor and two trailers, and there were nearly as many passengers on the roof as were in the cars. We caused a great deal of excitement all the way, the Natives gazing at us with amazement, thinking, I suppose, in their minds, that we are as mad as hatters. They are a very easy-going people; if there is no room in a car they sit down and wait for the next one, every street we passed through, hundreds of native children and men ran out to see us go by and followed us till there was a great crowd behind us laughing and yelling, while the white people looked on in amusement.

I have been inside the big Pyramid, it is marvellous. There are galleries and tunnels running in all directions, exactly in the centre are two big vaults where an ancient king and queen are buried. In the king's chamber the stone coffin is still there. The Pyramid is built of big blocks of a kind of granite of which there is none to be seen in any of the surrounding country. In the king's chamber there is a block measuring l1ft by 5ft by 8ft. In an underground temple is another block 16ft by 16ft by 5ft. All the pillars in this temple are single blocks of granite about 3ft square and fully 16ft high. Our Captain marched our company (F) over to the old Sphinx and we had a group photograph taken with the Sphinx as a background. On Christmas Day all our company put in 3s each and we had a real good dinner.  -Tuapeka Times, 17/2/1915.

From Our Boys in Egypt

Trooper Wilfred Knight, of the Australian Expeditionary Force, writing to his parents (Mr and Mrs E. Knight, Waipori) under date March 13th, 1925, says- 

"The Third Contingent of Australian Light Horse arrived on the 10th March. They are camped right opposite our battalion. The Third Infantry Brigade left here a couple of weeks ago for the Dardanelles it is supposed. We were each given a pair of puttees and new boots the other day, and a cap like the New Zealanders have. We are being well stocked with clothes. It has been very warm lately and we do all our work either in the early morning or in the evening as it is too hot about mid-day. We have not been doing much lately, but what we have done has been very interesting, such as trench digging, bomb proofs, &c, and different strategical schemes which are fully explained to us. I was in Cairo last Sunday and saw Eric (his brother) and Syd, (his cousin) and Leonard Bloss who is in the Medical Corps. They are looking well and I am in good health myself. I don't go into Cairo so often as I used to: first, because the novelty has worn off and, second, the camp is a town in itself. There are two vaudeville shows (branches of Cairo ''Kursaal''), two picture shows and dozens of shops (temporary wooden buildings), these being branches of Cairo firms. Newspaper boys are around morning and evening with the latest papers. At night the camp is a bright scene with the picture shows all illuminated with electric lights, the shops with gas, and the light of the different cook fires.

''There was a bit of fighting on the canal with the Turks up to the end of February. Some of our troops were engaged in it but I think everything is quiet there now. I saw a batch of Turkish prisoners in charge of some English Territorials in Cairo the other day. They were a miserable looking lot. They had no uniforms and most of them were in rags. With the hot weather have come swarms of flies which are very tormenting. I hope we are not here for the summer. I am going to Cairo to see Eric. Judging by the way things are going I think it will be the last time we will see one another in Cairo. I have sent lots of postcards home but have not been told if they were received. Some of them were sent before Christmas. Our mail is irregular; we sometimes get letters posted in February before those posted in January.  -Tuapeka Times, 1/5/1915.

Wilfred's Cenotaph, beside the Waipori Cemetery, above the Waipori town site.

The 1st Battalion landed at what would later be called Anzac Cove at dawn on April 25. An eye-witness' impression was presented in "The History of the First Battalion, AIF, 1914-1919":

"Having landed waist-deep in water, we made a dump of our packs and  and reformed companies in close column of platoons. From this point we moved off up the hillside in file, generally in single file.  We carried, in addition to our ordinary equipment, two extra bandoliers, a shovel, and half a sack of SAA (small arms ammunition). This - plus a steep hill and a hot day - resulted in a fairly fagged condition; 'exhaustion' would be the word for it, had it not been for the excitement and heavy months of training behind us. We advance over several small hills in this way, and halted. There was a little shrapnel. I thought it ineffectual stuff, with no moral effect. In fact, I was becoming contemptuous of it until a man away from me was hit. He explained forcibly how it hurt, his arm being broken. My opinion then changed entirely and I decided it was dangerous stuff and wished the Turks would stop. Rifle fire so far had not worried us much, most of it being indirect and falling, making a sharp cracking explosion over one's head, a phenomenon we put down to 'dum-dums' (expansive bullets)."

It was at this early stage that Wilfred Knight was wounded. He was taken aboard ship where he died and was buried at sea.

New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND DEATHS. 

Per Press Association. Dunedin, May 2. The Hon. J. Allen, has received a telegram from the Defence headquarters at Melbourne stating that Private W. V. Knight, son of F. M. Knight, Waipori, but who was with the 1st Australian infantry battalion, died between April 27 and 29 from wounds reecived in action in the Dardanelles. Mr Allen has received a cablegram from Alexandria that Lieut. Frater, of the Auckland division, died on April 30, from wounds received on a hired transport.  -Stratford Evening Post, 3/5/1915.

THE LATE PRIVATE KNIGHT.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") DUNEDIN, May 3. Private W. V. Knight, with the Australians, who died of wounds, was 25 years of age, and was educated at the Otago Boys' High School. He has a brother with the New Zealand Forces. When Mrs Knight received the news, she said: — "Well, I have no regrets, because he died for a just cause, and if I had a dozen sons I would not object to everyone of them going to fight for King, country, and the flag of liberty." The brothers met at Cairo. 

Private Wilfred Victor Knight, who joined the First Infantry Brigade, Australian Expeditionary Force, when the war broke out, was the second son of Mr and Mrs Frederick William Knight, Waipori, and was 25 years of age. (Says the "Otago Daily Times"). He was educated at the Waipori Primary School, and subsequently at the Otago Boys' High School. Being a young man with an adventurous spirit, the deceased left his home about four or five years ago, going to Australia. There he was engaged for a time in mining pursuits, and then he took a turn at sheepfarming. He afterwards was engaged on the tramways in Sydney as a conductor, and passed an examination as a motor driver. He also went tp sea for a little while. When the Australian Expeditionary Force was mobilised, he volunteered and was accepted.    -Press, 4/5/1915.