Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) 13th Company. Regimental number: 16207
Formerly 10422, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. Transferred to M.M.G.C. on 25th of December 1915.
Early life:
Joseph was the eldest living son of John Martin McKniff and Mary Ann McKniff née Rowan who had been married at Keighley, registered in the first quarter of 1891. Mary was a widow and had been married to Francis Mullarkey in 1883 and they had one child, Mary Ann Mullarkey, born in 1886. Sadly Francis had died aged just 25 in the third quarter of 1889 and Mary remarried to John McKniff.
Their first two children together were John McKniff born 1893 and died aged about six in 1899; James, born in 1894 and died as an infant in the same year.
Their third child was Joseph, born in the third quarter of 1896, registered in Keighley.
In the 1901 census the family was living at number 6, Burlington Street in the West ward of Keighley. They were living with the 51 year old housekeeper Bridget Rowan (Mary Ann’s widowed mother) and Martin Rowan, Mary Ann’s brother, a 26 year old french-polisher.
Mary Ann McKniff was aged 33 and a housekeeper; her husband John McKniff senior was aged 43 and employed as a machine moulder. Their children were Joseph aged four, Thomas aged one and Mary Ann’s daughter Mary Ann Mullarkey aged 14 and employed as a worsted spinner.
Also living here was a lodger, Mary O’Melia who was aged 75 and on Parish Relief.
These houses were quite small and there were eight people living here, so they would definitely be sharing beds.
Some time before the 1911 census they had moved next door to 8, Burlington Street. Father John was aged 55 and a labourer for a textile machinery making firm (spinning frames, combing, drawing and complementary machinery); Mary was aged 44 looking after the family home. They had been married for 22 years. They’d produced nine children, three of whom had died. Joseph was 14 and an iron moulder; Thomas aged eleven, Charles aged nine and Martin aged seven were all attending school. The youngest was Ellen aged four, at home with their mother Mary Ann. Her daughter Mary Ann Mullarkey appears to have married William Kelly at Keighley in 1917 and may have been married to a Joseph Scott before that in 1907 and had three children with him.
Joseph was arrested and charged with shop-breaking in December 1911.
Keighley News, Saturday 30th December 1911, page 5:
LOCAL POLICE COURTS. KEIGHLEY BOROUGH. FRIDAY. (Before Mr. Hartley Whitaker.)
CAUGHT RED-HANDED.
Edward Holgate (15), fettler, Turkey Street, and Joseph McKniff (16), turner, Burlington Street, were charged with attempted shop-breaking. Superintendent Birkhead stated that shortly before ten o’clock on Thursday night Constable Simpson was examining property in East Parade, when he heard a noise at the rear of premises occupied by Messrs. J. L. Morley, Limited, pawnbrokers. On going to the back of the shop be found the prisoner standing in the doorway, and caught Holgate in the act of filing a padlock. They were taken into custody, and when searched at the police station a number of other tools were found in their possession. Constable Simpson gave evidence bearing out this statement, and added that when charged with attempted shop breaking Holgate replied “Yes, we intended to get in, get something and go away in the morning. McKniff replied, We tried to break in, but it has not come off this time.” Superintendent Birkhead applied for a remand, remarking that several shops had been entered during the holidays. Prisoners were remanded until Tuesday.
There is a further account in the newspaper in the week following, of the proceedings which list charges of breaking and entering and attempted shop breaking and stealing goods. Sadly the newspaper copy on microfilm is of very poor quality but the final decision of the Bench is legible:
Keighley News, Saturday 6th January 1912, page 3:
‘The Bench retired and returning after an intermission of ten minutes, the Mayor announced that the prisoners would be placed on probation for two years and would have to pay the costs. The Bench considered they were dealing seriously with the prisoners who would go sadly wrong if they did not mend their ways.’
War service:
Joseph was serving with the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment before the war began. (Perhaps Army service was seen as a way to bring him on to the straight and narrow.)
He was still serving at the outbreak of war and went out from Ireland with the 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment, disembarking in France on the 15th of August. (his medal roll for the 1914 Star gives a disembarkation date of 13th August.)
WO-95/1552/1. August 1914. Major McLeod Private Diary:
Extracts from the private Diary of Major Macleod, who commanded the 2nd Battalion, West Riding Regiment, after Lieut. Colonel Gibbs was wounded. Only the initial letters of locations in France were entered in his personal diary.
August 13th. Embarked in S.S. Gloucestershire about 3 p.m.
14th. Sailed about 1 a.m. Sea calm.
15th. Anchored in estuary about 11 a.m. alongside quay about 3 p.m. Raining hard. Disembarked and remained for night in shed on quay. Several transport carts damaged in unloading.
16th. Paraded early and marched to Rest Camp 7 miles out. Wet at first, finer later. Paraded at 9 pm. Very dark.
17th. Got most of baggage on to train about 2 a.m. Train left at 2.30a.m. Detrained at LANDRECIES and marched to M ____ 6 miles off, which was reached at 8 p.m. Billeted. Inhabitants most kind.
18th. Lovely day. People seem quietly confident. Country lovely, with well cut thorn hedges and well to do looking farms. Very like the South of England.
19th. Lovely weather. Company route marches, firing and attack practices.
20th. Water getting rather scarce. Orders to march received. The battalion was addressed by Major General Sir C. Ferguson.
21st. Very hot. Marched at 7 a.m. Arrived about 3 p.m. at H…
22nd. Very hot indeed. Marched about 7.30 a.m. Arrived at B… at H… about noon and then ordered to go into billets.
23rd. Firing began about noon. Two Companies sent about 1 p.m. to support West Kent Regiment. Whole Battalion out at 2 p.m. round the bridge over the canal at St GHISLAIN and exposed to heavy gun fire for several hours. C. Company in reserve just South of the canal.
About 6 p.m. I went with this Company, Strafford and Healing to take up another position, but after wandering all night and losing our way, we lay down in the open till dawn near the K.O.S.B’s.
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Joseph was an ‘Old Contemptible’ and took part in the major battles of the early part of the war at Mons, Marne, Aisne and Le Cateau. He served with the 2nd Battalion, West Riding Regiment until he was transferred to the 13th Machine Gun Company in December 1915.
According to the newspaper account he was transferred to the Machine Gun Company in January 1916 which differs slightly from the war diary account. (It’s likely his family were just informed of this in January 1916.)
In late December 1915 several drafts of men were transferred into this Company to bring it up to full strength. These consisted of Officers and men from the 2nd KOYLI, 2nd Dukes, 1st Royal West Kents, 2nd King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
WO-95/1559/1. 13th Machine Gun Company War diary:
25th December 1915:
Second Lieutenant B.J.G. Whitaker, Lieutenant F.D. Chadwick of 2nd Duke of Wellington’s and 29 other ranks were taken on the strength. (Joseph was almost certainly one of the 29 men included in this transfer)
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Joseph was serving with them when he was killed in action on the 23rd of September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. His Military Medal award was officially announced two days after he was declared dead and sadly we do not have a citation for this award. The events of the days leading up to his death are detailed in the war diary.
WO-95/1559/1. 13th Machine Gun Company War diary:
15/9/16:
Weather fire, resting company receive orders to stand by ready to move at 2 hours notice.
16/9/16:
Weather fine Resting.
17/9/16:
Weather fine. Lieutenant A. C. CRONE joins for duty also 1 Other rank rejoins from Hospital.
18/9/16:
Wet. Company move with Brigade to BILLON FARM area where halted for tea, at 5-40 pm.
March was continued to WATERLOT FARM and positions taken up there in reserve to the 20th Division. 1 Other rank died of wounds received in action.
19/9/16:
Wet. Lieut. J. GIBSON rejoins off sick leave from U.K. Reinforcements: 12 Other Ranks arrive from Base. 1 Other rank to Hospital sick.
20/9/16:
Fine. Brigade take up new position in Reserve. Company move to new headquarters in sunken road in valley near Bois ES. FAVIERE.
21/9/16:
Fine. Company in Reserve. Transport move to new lines on the PERONNE ROAD about A. 21. a. 8.2.
22/9/16:
Weather fine. Company go into line in front of GINCHY. Company Headquarters in position near ARROW HEAD COPSE. 1 Other rank killed and 5 Other ranks wounded.
13th Brigade relieved 15th and 95th Brigades. 2 Sections of 15th and 95th MG. Companies remained in line.
23/9/16:
Fine. Dispositions of guns: Number 4 Section and 2 guns & teams of Number 2 section in the front line. Number 1 section in Support. No: 3 Section and 2 guns and teams of Number 2 section in Reserve. 3 Other ranks to Hospital sick.
24/9/16:
Weather fine. 13th Infantry Brigade relieved by the 15th and 95th Infantry Brigades, half of the Machine Gun Company of each Brigade go up into their positions ready for the attack. Number 4 Section remains in the line. Nos 1 and 3 Sections under Lt. BURDETT take up a position enabling them to direct covering fire on MORVAL during the attack on that place.
25/9/16:
Weather fine. Attack on MORVAL takes place. operations were entirely successful.
—
We’re certain Joseph was the ‘other rank’ who was reported killed on the 22nd of September as his was the only 13th Company death reported in that period and this concurs with the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which shows no other men from the Company dying in that period. Joseph’s death is recorded by them as the 23rd. (there are often discrepancies of a day between the actual war diary events and reports being made.)
Third Supplement to The London Gazette, of Tuesday the 19th of September, 1916:
War Office, Thursday 2lst September, 1916.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men:
16207 L./C. J. McKniff, M. Gun Corps
Joseph had actually written a letter home to the parents of Harry Wood who had been killed a week previously. This was published in the issue dated the week before Joseph’s own death was announced.
Keighley News photograph and report dated 14th October 1916, Page 3/4:
DENHOLME. WELL KNOWN BOXER KILLED.
Lance Corporal Harry Wood, of 38, Balmoral Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle, eldest surviving son of Mr. Hartley Wood, engineer to Messrs W & H Foster Ltd, Denholme Mills, was killed in action on September 15. Lance Corporal Wood joined the Boxers’ Battalion (Surrey Rifles) in April 1915, and prior to enlisting was well known in Keighley, Newcastle and London boxing circles. His older brother, Rifleman Herbert Wood, of the Rifle Brigade (Petrograd Contingent), was killed at Hooge in 1915.
The two brothers were born at Grunberg, Silesia. Lance Corporal Wood was 24 years of age, and leaves a widow and son.
Writing to the Keighley News from Newcastle, Lance Corporal J. H. McKniff refers to the death of Lance Corporal Wood and says: “He had only been out a few months and I thought I could not pay a last tribute better than by letting his many Keighley friends know of his glorious death. He had been looking forward at the end of the war to another meeting with Tommy Rowan, but he has now been counted out.”
Keighley News. Saturday 21st October 1916 page 5.
News was received yesterday that Lance Corporal Joseph McKniff of the West Riding Regiment, of 88, Leeds Street, Keighley, was killed in action on September 23.
He was stationed at Dublin before the war broke out, and at the opening of the hostilities he went out to the front, taking part in the retreat from Mons and subsequent engagements. He had been gassed previously.
Keighley News, Saturday 26th May, 1917, page 6:
(Photo on page 3)
LOCAL NEWS. KEIGHLEY. KILLED TWO DAYS AFTER MILITARY MEDAL AWARD.
The parents of the late Lance Corporal J. McKniff (21), of 88, Leeds Street, Keighley, have received the Military Medal awarded to their son for distinguished conduct in the field. Lance Corporal McKniff was killed in action with the Machine Gun Corps on September 23 last, two days after the announcement that he had been awarded the medal appeared in “The London Gazette.” He was in the Army at the outbreak of war, going to France with the West Riding Regiment, and being engaged with that battalion in the early fighting at Mons and in the subsequent battles. He was “gassed” in 1915. No statement has been made of the circumstances under which the medal was won.
Remembrance:
Joseph has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval War Memorial in France, Panel Reference Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C.
Locally he is named in the Borough of Keighley 1914 – 1918 Great War roll of honour book at Keighley Library.
He is actually named in the book twice, due to an error in the spelling of his surname of Mackniff and McKniff. His regiment is also incorrect as he was in the 13th Machine Gun Company when he died.
Joseph was also named on the St. Anne’s War Memorial at the Roman Catholic Church on North Street.
Post war:
Joseph’s mother Mary Ann was his next of kin and the sole legatee in his will.
She would have received any personal effects and also a payment of £12 3s 4d from Joseph’s outstanding Army pay, which was paid to her on the 28th of February 1917. She also received a war gratuity payment of £12 on the 26th of November 1919.
Mary Ann also applied for a Dependant’s pension and received and initial payment of 3s 3d, then 3s 6d until 11th November 1918 then 4s per week for 410 weeks, as this had increased to 4 shillings per week from 13th February 1919 to 8th September 1920 and then to 4s 3d per week after that. She was living at 88, Leeds Street in Keighley at that time.
Mary Ann would also have received Joseph’s service medals which were the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The records shows she applied for the Star on the 27th of March 1919 and should also have received a clasp for the 1914 Star and a rose for the separate medal ribbon, these items signifying his early service in the war. There is no mention in Joseph’s medal record of these being issued.
She would also have received a bronze war memorial plaque and scroll inscribed with his name. Most medals and plaques arrived around 1920 or 1921.
Joseph’s father John died aged 61 at Keighley and his death was registered there in the second quarter of 1920.
In the 1921 census widowed Mary Ann was still living at 88, Leeds Street. She was aged 54 and on home duties. Also living here were her son Martin aged 17, an iron core maker for Smith Marks & Company Limited, Wringing Machine Makers at Greengate, Keighley. Her daughter Ellen McKniff aged 14 and a worsted spinner employed by Messrs Wolsey Ltd, Worsted Spinners of Springfield Mills on Oakworth Road.
Mary Ann died at the age of 60 and her death was registered at Keighley in the first quarter of 1926.
Information sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915.
Free BMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 about Joseph McKniff.
1901 England Census.
1911 England Census.
Keighley News archives at Keighley Library.
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920.
World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920.
Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about Joseph McKniff.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The London Gazette. TUESDAY, the 19th of SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929.
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007.
1921 Census Of England & Wales.
