Reuben Arthur Knights

A Private with 10th Battalion Canadian Infantry, Reuben died on 28th of April 1917 at the age of 31.

Reuben was born at Lowestoft on 27 June 1884, a son of James and Amelia Knights. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 7 September 1884. In 1891 his family lived at 27 Oxford Road, and this was still their home in 1901, by which time Reuben was working as a carpenter. 

Reuben moved to Canada, in 1909. His brother William also emigrated to Canada. Reuben was working as a carpenter when he attested for the Canadian Army at Swiftcurrent, Saskatchewan, Canada, on 29 May 1915. Initially Reuben served with the 209th Battalion. Reuben arrived in England on 11 November 1916 and joined the 9th Reserve Battalion. He went to France on 4 March 1917 to join the 10th Battalion and he joined the Battalion 'in the field' on 6 April 1917. 

Reuben was reported missing in action on 9 April 1917. It seems he returned to his Battalion and was actually killed in action on 28 April 1917 in during the attack on, and capture of, Arleux-en-Gohelle, France.  

Reuben's service papers are available at the National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150 Accession 1992-93/166 Box 5229 - 27 

Reuben is named on the war memorial at Saint Margaret's Church

Note: some sources give his surname as Knight.