Harry Hugh Sidney Knox

Harry Hugh Sidney Knox was the fourth son of Vesey Edward Knox of Newcastle, Co. Down. After militia service with 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (1890–3) he was commissioned in the Northamptonshire Regiment on 9 September 1893. He saw active service on the North-West Frontier of India (1897–8) and during a period of secondment to the King’s African Rifles (1900–1) in Uganda. His career then followed the path trodden by ambitious career soldiers. After a period as Adjutant 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment (1902–5) he entered the Staff College at Quetta in 1908, graduating psc the following year. He was GSO3 School of Musketry, India (1910–11) and GSO2 HQ India (1911–14).

Knox did not get to France until January 1915, but he remained on the Western Front as a staff officer for the rest of the war. After a period as GSO2 V Corps, he was appointed GSO1 15th (Scottish) Division on 25 November 1915. He was chief of staff of 15th Division until 14 May 1917, serving under Major-General F W N McCracken during the Somme and Arras battles.

Knox succeeded Louis Vaughan as BGGS XV Corps on 15 May 1917, retaining the post for the rest of the war, with a short break in August 1918 during which he temporarily commanded 29th Division. He was chief of staff to Sir John DuCane and Sir Beauvoir de Lisle, two capable and demanding men. He was awarded the DSO in 1917.

After the war Knox’s career maintained its upward trajectory. He was GOC 3rd Brigade (1923–6), Director of Military Training (1926–30), GOC 3rd Division (1930–2) and Lieutenant of the Tower of London (1933–5). He was knighted in 1935. After his retirement from the army in 1938 General Sir Harry Knox was Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (1938–43).