Lieutenant Locksley McKnight

Locksley McKnight was a distinguished educator and athlete who left his doctoral studies and education career as McCauley School’s first principal to fight. Commissioned in 1915, he joined the 49th Battalion (E.R.) in France the following summer. On the afternoon of September 16, 1916, during the Battle of Courcelette, McKnight and a fellow officer were ordered forward to reinforce “D” Company's isolated position near the Chalk Mound. To reach it, both officers would need to traverse over 200 yards of open and exposed ground to reach their company. Just after setting out, they were observed by a German machine gun crew which opened fire. Caught in the open and in broad daylight, both officers were killed. With no known grave, McKnight is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.