Private Frederick Knox
Frederick Knox (left) with his brother Thompson.
Frederick (Freddy) Knox was born on 22 June 1896 at Largy, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, fourth of nine children of farmer Thompson Knox and his wife Margaret (nee Armstrong).
He enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Tempo on 29 July 1912 (No.721), just ahead of his brother William. He was only 16, but claimed to be two years older.
Knox did not see overseas service. On 20 April 1915 he faced a medical board at Belfast. According to the report:
He states that his left leg was weak from a boy. ... he was able to do his first training without trouble in June 1913. During his training in June 1914 his left leg became weak & he was unable to mount a horse. On mobilization he was called up but he was unable to do his duty owing to pain in knee joint. ... He walks lame & uses a stick.
He was found to be suffering from a congenital weakness of the left knee, probably aggravated by military service. On 12 May 1915 he was discharged under Paragraph 392 (xvi) King's Regulations as permanently unfit for any service. His military character was marked as "very good".
He died at home at Skeoge, Trillick, on 19 October 1972.
Frederick's brother William James Knox also served in the North Irish Horse. Another brother, Thompson Knox (pictured above), served in the 2nd and 7/8 Battalions, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (No.28890) and was killed in action on 21 March 1918. Thompson may have served in the North Irish Horse before he joined the Inniskillings, for in the photo above his cap badge is North Irish Horse.
I am grateful to Edwin Knox for making available these pictures of his Great Uncles.