William Knox (British Army officer)


Sir William George Knox, was a British Army officer who became General Officer Commanding 8th Division.

Military career

Born the son of General Thomas Edmond Knox, William Knox was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1867. He took part in Expedition to Abyssinia in 1868, in the Third Anglo-Ashanti War in 1874 and in the Russo-Turkish War in 1877. He also fought in the Second Anglo-Afghan War in 1878, was promoted to captain on 23 January 1879, and fought in the Anglo-Zulu War later the same year. Promoted to major on 21 April 1880, he was appointed Commander of the Royal Horse Artillery at Curragh Camp that year, and promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 2 October 1891. After promotion to colonel on 27 August 1898, he then took part in the Second Boer War, being present at the defence of Ladysmith in 1900.
Knox stayed in South Africa until after the war ended in May 1902, and two months later left by the SS Briton for Southampton. For his service in the war, he was mentioned in despatches, received the Queen's South Africa Medal, and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the April 1901 South Arica Honours list.
Following his return to the United Kingdom, Knox was on 9 September 1902 appointed a Major-General on the Staff Commanding Royal Artillery of the 3rd Army Corps, stationed in Ireland. He was appointed General Officer Commanding 8th Division in Southern Ireland in 1905 before retiring in 1910.

Family

In 1889 he married Alice Dundas, daughter of Sir Robert Dundas, 1st Baronet.