A WAR medal awarded to a Dorset serviceman has been reunited with his ancestors – including his musical grandson – more than a century on, thanks to a Dorchester museum.
Steve Knightley, lead singer and songwriter with the folk band Show of Hands, played a gig at the Dorchester Arts Centre in June 2014 and told the audience that his grandfather had served as a sergeant in the Dorsetshire Regiment. But he knew nothing about his grandfather’s time in the service.
Now, thanks to Helen Jones and Rex Lovell from the Keep Military Museum, a medal handed to Colour Sergeant Thomas James Knightley is now back in the keeping of his family, who now know more about him.
The researchers took on the task of finding out more about Steve’s grandfather. Helen said: “We discovered that he had originally enlisted into the Northamptonshire Regiment in 1891 and was one of a draft of men transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment in 1894. Thomas remained with the Dorsetshire Regiment until 1912 and then re-enlisted into the Devonshire Regiment at the start of the First World War.”
She added: “When Thomas retired from the Dorsets in 1912, the Regimental Journal described him as “being merry and bright and absolutely unique in power of expression”, known for his clog, sword and hornpipe dancing – something which delighted his folk singer grandson. It also mentioned that “he went through the Tirah Campaign (1897/98) and received a medal with two clasps”.”
The researchers found that Thomas’s India General Service Medal was up for sale on a dealer’s site.
Steve’s sister, Babs Knightley-Short, bought the medal as a surprise for her own son Tom’s 21st birthday. She and the family then produced a huge framed picture giving all the information that the Keep had unearthed about Sergeant Tom and presented it to his namesake.
The discovery comes as Show of Hands releases their Centenary album, which puts well-known songs from the First World War to musical settings and is accompanied by poetry read by Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton.
Helen added: “We are delighted that Colour Sergeant Tom Knightley’s hard-won medal is now back with his family who will treasure it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel