Sidney Knights

Knights was commissioned from cadet into the York and Lancaster Regiment as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 7 July 1916.^[2] He served in France with the 13th Battalion,^[1] winning the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 13 December. His citation read:

Temporary Second Lieutenant Sidney Arthur William Knights, York and Lancaster Regiment.

"For conspicuous gallantry in action. During a raid on the enemy's trenches he showed marked courage and determination in leading his men. He set a splendid example throughout."^[3]

He was promoted to lieutenant on 7 January 1918,^[4] and soon moved to the Royal Flying Corps, being appointed a flying officer (observer) and transferred to the RFC General List on 16 March 1918, with seniority backdated to 27 January.^[5]

Knights was posted to No. 62 Squadron on 10 March 1918, and served as observer/gunner with pilot George Everard Gibbons, flying a Bristol F.2b two-seater fighter. Between 12 March and 28 May they accounted for eight enemy aircraft, including three on 3 May and two on 28 May. Knights was hospitalized on 10 July 1918, and saw no further successes.^[1]

Knights left the RAF post-war, being transferred to the unemployed list on 14 March 1919.^[6]