OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1918, Page 5

OBITUARY.

CAPTAIN" KNYVETT. A Press Association message from NewYork announces the death of Captain Knyvett! Though no particulars are given, it is probable that the message refers to Major F. B. Knyvett, who was prominent in the "Knyvett case" some years ago. Born in Queensland, he served with the Queensland contingents in the South African War, and later came to New Zealand, taking up his residence iu Auckland. There he took over command of No. 1 Company, Auckland Garrison Artillery, which was almost defunct, and immediately put new life into it, restoring it in the course of a few months to full strength, and later bring-,j ing it to such' a state of efficiency that it was acknowledged as one of the crack Garrison Artillery xuiits in New Zealand. At his own personal expense, he brought his men to Wellington in order to compete with the Petone Navals in a big-gun shoot, but this did not eventuate, owing to the necessary procedure not having been complied with. As a result of disparaging remarks published in Wellington, Captain Knyvett wrote a strongly-worded letter to the Minister of Defence, complaining of his treatment, and sent it through the proper channel. The result was a Court of Inquiry, and Captain Knyvett was "dismissed the forces." The citizens of Auckland, considering that a great injustice had been done, at once agitated for a retrial, which was granted, special legislation being enacted by Parliament for the purpose. The second court again convicted Captain Knyvett of the offence charged, and, as he refused to withdraw the letter complained of, his/ previous sentence was confirmed. The late Captain Knyvett left New Zealand almost immediately, and after being for some time in Western Australia, settled in South Africa. In the present war he participated in the campaign against German West Africa, during which he was wounded. At the conclusion of Botha's operations he joined the Royal Field Artillery in Prance, in which he hab served with the rank of major ever since. In Prance he was I known as a particularly brilliant and dashing officer, and- was wounded there on no fewer than four separate occasions. He earned several decorations for his services.

A recently returned New Zealand soldier states that he saw Major Knyvett about last June 10th at the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Headquarters in; Southampton Row, London. Major Knyvett, who was on furlough, wa3 paying a friendly visit to Headquarters in the liopo of meeting some old acquaintance. He had then been wounded a number of times, and had lost a finger. The fact of his decease being cabled from New York may be accounted for by the possibility of his being in the United States on special duty —either as instructor or on some other service that British military men-are being sent to America, for-