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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 111

Three: Captain J. V. Knox, Royal Flying Corps and 18th London Regiment, killed in a flying accident near Norwich on 4 January 1918

1914-15 Star (Lieut. J. V. Knox. 18/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. V. Knox.), nearly extremely fine (3)

John Vesey Knox was born on 17 October 1892 at Chelsea, London and was educated at Wixenford, then Rugby (until 1910), before going up to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, February to December, 1911. Knox was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment on 14 February, 1912. He resigned his commission to take up a civil appointment. It was in February 1914 he was appointed a Clerk in the Principle Probate Registry at Somerset House, whilst living at 76 Elm Park Gardens.

Upon the outbreak of the Great War, Knox volunteered for service on 5 August, 1914 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 18th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) later that month. Having filed for divorce from his wife Hilda, for adultery, on 6 October 1914, Knox was attached to the 2nd London Divisional Cyclist Company being promoted to Lieutenant on 25 September 1915. He compiled the Company War Diary, whilst in action in France and Flanders, until the end of April 1916. He was inspected at Doullens for an appointment in the Royal Flying Corps, which he joined on 1 May 1916. Knox was awarded a Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificate (No.3700) on 17 October 1916 after taking his test on a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military Flying School, Brooklands.

He was attached to No. 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps at Colney, Hertfordshire but suffered a fractured jaw on 21 November 1916, whilst flying a Curtis Aircraft B624, when it crashed on top of a tree after a 200 foot spinning nose dive. Admitted to the Royal Flying Corps Hospital at 37 Bryaston Square, London, he was returned to No. 42 (Training) Squadron for light duty on 5 July 1917. Thence attached to No. 85 Squadron at Norwich for light duty and flying in September and then to No. 19 (Training) Squadron at Hounslow in November. Made an Instructor at No. 9 Flying School, Norwich, Know was accidentally killed on 4 January 1918. He had been a passenger in a RE8 A3891 flown by 2nd Lieutenant P. D. Parker. The aircraft suffered from an engine failure, fell into a spin, crashed, and caught fire, killing both inside it. His body was returned to Northern Ireland and was buried in St.Coleman’s Churchyard, Kilcoo, County Down; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£600

Starting price
£190