A rare and well-documented Great War pair awarded to Lieutenant C. R. W. Knight, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, who, having claimed two confirmed victories at night over Arras in August 1918, was mortally wounded in a sortie over Topsa, North Russia in June 1919

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. R. W. Knight, R.A.F.), in their original card boxes of issue and registered envelope, with his identity discs, extremely fine (4) £600-800

Clarence Raymond Wentworth Knight was born in Calcutta, India, in October 1897, the son of a barrister, and was educated at Harrow prior to enlisting in the Inns of Court O.T.C. in January 1915. Subsequently commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on the General List (Royal Flying Corps) in March 1916, he graduated as a pilot from the Central Flying School, Upavon, that November, and held several squadron appointments on home defence duties in Bristol Fighters prior to joining No. 151 Squadron out in France in June 1918. And it in this latter capacity that he shot down Gotha bombers over Arras on the nights of 22 and 25 August 1918, both actions being reported in official R.A.F. communiques:

22 August 1918: ‘Lieutenant C. R. W. Knight and Captain A. B. Yuille, No. 151 Squadron, saw a hostile bombing machine caught in searchlights. Captain Yuille attacked, and, after firing two bursts, over shot the enemy aircraft. Lieutenant Knight got close under the enemy aircraft’s tail, and, after 50 rounds fired from each gun, saw it burst into flames. The machine fell on our side of the lines.’

25 August 1918: ‘Lieutenant F. C. Broome, No. 151 Squadron, saw an enemy aircraft in our searchlights west of Arras which he attacked from the rear but got into its backwash and spun. Captain D. V. Armstrong, of the same squadron, then attacked, but was obliged to turn away to avoid a collision. Lieutenant Broome attacked again, and, after a long burst, the enemy machine started to spin down and crashed on our side of the lines. Lieutenant C. R. W. Knight attacked another enemy night bombing machine just east of Arras, which he shot down in flames. This machine also fell on our side of the lines.’

Shortly afterwards returning to the U.K., Knight was charged with touring R.A.F. establishments in a captured Fokker, ‘to fight the machine against all the best local talent, in order that British pilots may learn the tricks and capabilities of the Fokker before going over to fight it in earnest at the Front’ (accompanying letter refers). This duty performed, he next volunteered for active service in North Russia, where he joined No. 2 Squadron in May 1919. In the following month, however, he was mortally wounded in a sortie against enemy positions near Topsa, an incident recounted in official records (T.N.A. AIR I/435/15/274/3 refers):

‘On 21 June 1919, Lieutenant C. R. Wentworth Knight, pilot, and Lieutenant D. Neil, observer, were brought down behind enemy lines by a burst of shrapnel. The machine crashed in the forest, but neither pilot or observer received any injury from the crash. Lieutenant Neil who was wounded in the hand, got out of the machine and endeavoured to assist Lieutenant Knight to do the same. The latter, however, was too seriously wounded to even attempt to extricate himself. He had been shot through the stomach and insisted that Lieutenant Neil should leave him as he was “done in”.

Lieutenant Neil stayed by him until he could hear enemy voices close by in the trees. He then made good his escape finding his way across to our lines after a good deal of trouble and hardship. Lieutenant Knight was first reported wounded and a prisoner, but his dead body was found next day when our troops advanced. He was buried with full military honours at Topsa by the 2nd Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment.’

A more personal account of his final sortie was later received by Knight’s father from a fellow No. 2 Squadron pilot, Captain G. E. Wilson:

‘By the time you get this letter you will have received the sad news of your son’s death. I am writing to let you know all the circumstances, as “Fluffy” (your son’s nickname) was my greatest friend out here. We came out together on the Czar, were together at Archangel, shared the same tent here, and were together when he was shot down. I joined your son at our advanced aerodrome at Kurgamin late on the evening of the 20th, and early on the next morning, 2.30 a.m., we received orders from Headquarters detailing a bombing raid, as the enemy were about to launch a counter-attack on our new front line, which was then Topsa, on the right bank of the River Dvina.

“Fluffy” and I were the first two machines to leave the ground and shortly after crossing the lines we got badly shot about both by machine-guns and anti-aircraft guns - “Fluffy” was flying a 2-seater with bombs, and I a Scout. As I was getting very badly shot up I dived at where I thought the machine-gun was, and having considerable trouble with my guns it was some few minutes before I was able to look about for “Fluffy” again. Not being able to see his machine I presumed he must have gone straight on to drop his bombs. I finished my ammunition on any Bolos I could see, and returned home. Shortly after, a machine landed and reported “Fluffy’s” machine to be down in a clearing in the forest. Some twenty or so Russian soldiers and a Russian officer went forward to try and get to the machine, but failed, owing to the numbers of enemy in the forest.

At about 10.30 a.m. your son’s observer returned, wounded in his right arm - he had escaped. The following facts are from his account:

While I (Wilson) was engaged in shooting up the enemy, they were hit by shrapnel and, being near to a clearing, “Fluffy” landed the machine there. Neil (who was his observer) got out, and tried to help “Fluffy”, who was very badly wounded. Your son then ordered Neil to run for it before being captured, and seeing Neil still remained with him, he sat up and managed to get just enough strength to be able to say - “Run, Neil, run!” - then died.

Your son died, as he had always lived, and he is known and remembered by all his friends - one of the biggest-hearted sportsmen that ever lived - as straight as a die, one of the six best pilots of the Royal Air Force.

As a result of the operations of the R.A.F. the enemy attack never came off, and we advanced on as far as Troitsa and Seltso. In the neighbourhood of Troitsa your son’s body was found by our infantry, and at present is being conveyed back to Kurgamin, where “Fluffy” will be buried with all military honours.

The Commanding Officer is making arrangements for a photograph to be taken of the grave, so that you can receive a copy.

Had your son lived he would have been put in for a decoration for the exceptionally fine and daring work he did during the two days of the “push”.

I am personally looking after his kit until such time as it can be sent to you, and should you desire any more information of any sort, please do not hesitate in writing to me.

All the Squadron wish me to express their sorrow in your bereavement.’

Similar words of tribute followed from other old comrades, another fellow pilot stating he was ‘undoubtedly one of the finest pilots living’, a sentiment shared by Captain Humphrey, who served with Knight in Russia - ‘His last public display on a Sopwith Snipe was the finest flying any of them had ever seen, in fact a revelation.’ While his Adjutant described him as ‘slight, courageous and gay, with great self-control and contempt for authority.’

Knight’s remains were later removed to the Archangel Allied Cemetery - a photograph of his original grave, as forwarded by his C.O., is, however, included, together with a large quantity of other original documentation, including: a true copy of the recipient’s certificate of baptism, dated at Darjeeling, 18 July 1910; Discharge Certificate, from Inns of Court O.T.C. to a commission in the R.F.C., dated 17 March 1916; Royal Flying Corps (Officers) Graduation Certificate, dated at Upavon, 22 November 1916; signal to the O.C., No. 151 Squadron, congratulating Knight on his confirmed victory on 22 August 1918; a letter from ‘Uncle Paul’ describing Knight’s U.K. tour in a captured Fokker, dated 20 October 1918; two letters from Knight to his sister Marion, dated 28 June 1917 (No. 55 Squadron, R.F.C., B.E.F.), and 20 April 1919, on the eve of his departure for Russia (’We expect to have great fun in “Balskii Land” and I am looking forward very much for the music to start. I shall be flying a “Snipe”, a rather good buzz ...’); the above cited letter from Captain G. E. Wilson, dated 23 June 1919, and a typed copy of a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Robin Grey to the G.O.C., North Russian Expeditionary Force, describing Knight’s fate; Privy Purse Office, Buckingham Palace letter of condolence, dated 16 September 1920; Air Ministry forwarding letter for the recipient’s British War and Victory Medals, dated 4 May 1922; and a selection of family and/or wartime photographs (approximately 15), included several larger images mounted on card, two of these depicting the recipient with his aircraft.