Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private J. Knox, Royal Irish Rifles, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 8 April 1916

1914-15 Star (12-0641 Pte. J. Knox. R. Ir: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals (12-641 Pte. J. Knox. R. Ir. Rif.); Memorial Plaque (John Knox) in card envelope, the plaque somewhat polished, generally very fine (4) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties.

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Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family.

John Knox was born at Ballymena, Co. Antrim, and attested for the Royal Irish Rifles at Belfast. He served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 4 October 1915, and was mortally wounded on 8 April 1916, dying later that day. Two letters written to the recipient’s mother from Captain J. E. Jenks (published in the Ballymena Observer on 14 April 1916) give the following details:

‘Rifleman J. Knox was wounded this afternoon, 8 April. He was working in the trenches when a shell exploded close to where he was, and a piece of it struck him on the back of his head. I was unable to find out exactly how serious the wound was, but from what I learn, I fear it was serious...’

‘Further to my letter yesterday, it is my sad duty to inform you that your son, Private J. Knox, died last night as a result of the wound he received in the trenches. You have my deepest sympathy in your sad loss, as the boy was a general favourite and a good soldier, and in the days to come it may be of some consolation to you to remember that he did his duty well, and died for his country.’

Knox is buried in Forceville Cemetery, France.

Sold with copied research, including various newspaper extracts that contain a photographic image of the recipient.