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Private Thomas Alexander McKnight

 

Thomas Alexander McKnight was born on 9 December 1879 at Drumnahoney, Newry, County Armagh, the first of four children of farmer William McKnight and his wife Mary Jane (née Sinclair). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Drumnahoney with his parents and two sibilings, and working on the family farm.

McKnight enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Newry on 6 April 1914 (No.936). He gave his age as 24, rather than his actual age of 34.

Mobilised 8 August 1914, McKnight was soon found to be medically unfit for military service. On 3 October he was discharged (paragraph 154, Special Reserve Regulations). His military conduct was recorded as 'very good'.

 

McKnight's brother William served in the war with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 14 November 1914.