Lieutenant Locksley McKnight

Locksley McKnight was a distinguished educator and athlete who left his role as McCauley School’s first principal and doctoral studies to serve. Commissioned in 1915, he joined the 49th Battalion (E.R.) the following year. On September 16, 1916, during the Battle of Courcelette, he and a fellow officer were ordered forward to reinforce “D” Company, which had suffered heavy officer casualties near the Chalk Mound. An isolated position, both officers who had have to traverse through open and exposed ground to reach their company. Just after setting out across this ground, they were observed by a German machine gunner who gunned down both officers. With no known grave, Locksley McKnight is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.