CAPTAIN KNYVETT'S CAREER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 306, 30 December 1909, Page 2

CAPTAIN KNYVETT'S CAREER.

Captain Knyvetfy who' was on his trial before a Military Court at: Auckland last week, jn connection' with a letter addressed by him to the Minis-' ter of Defence, is 29 years of age. He joined B Company Queensland Scottish Rifles at the age of 12. According tb the -Otago Daily Times he was accepted for service with the Fijrst Queensland Contingent—one of the first Colonial contingeiits that volunteered for South Africa. He went over with the rank of Lance-Sergeant, and served, throughout, with the Queenslanders, being present at the following actions;— Sunny side, the relief of . Kimberley, Drietfontein, Sannas Post, Johannesburg, and Diamond Hills to Barbarton. While: with this contingents Sergeant KnyvStt svas in charge; of.- the first British 'mail that went into Pretoria* On completion of his service with, the contingent he returned to Queensland, but stayed only two days, when he was off bsefc. to the war with the Fifth Contingent of* the Queensland Bushmen, then on: the point of departure. This time' he went out with, the rank <of sergeant, and immediately on landing in Africa, he received the rank of ser-geant-major. He served with General Plummer throughout," was twice recommended for a commission on the field, twice mentioned by General Plummer, in despatches, and received the' Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field. At the end 'of this service Ije returned to Queensland.andreceived his com T mission as- lieutenant. • Five days after landing saw him* once more bound for the war, this time as lieutenant in the. Commonwealth Horse, with which he served till peace, was declared. In 1903 he came to New Zealand, and at once joined No. 1 1 Company, Auckland Garrison Artillery Volunteers, with the rank: of lieutenant. When he had been with this corps almost a year, says an Auckland paper, the N^o. 1 Comply asked 'him "to' take command. .They were only 16 strong,, and witiujufc officers^ Bo : th© prospect igJts not bright, but r .since, he took-charge in.1905 Captain^ Kiiyvefct has raised the corns to the position of being the strongest;in the Dominion. He has passed..successively tlie; rank of lieutenant and. captain, an# last year sat for arid passed with the, rank of major. The regulations requiring seven years] service was. interpreted to mean New Zealand service. The authorities refused to take Captain Knyvett's Australian service into consideration, and declined him the rank of major- ' He holds the following decorations.— ,Queen'a, MedaJ, with seven bars; King's Medal, with two bars; and the D.C.M.