Private George Knapman


Service Army Service No. 40392
Rank Private
Regiment:Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion
Date of Birth: 1896
Born Kenn
Date of Death: 24/04/1917
Memorial: Dawlish Memorial Inscription KNAPMAN G. PTE. RL DUBN FUS.

Service History

George's military record suggests that he may first have joined the Devonshire Regiment (quoted in UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War) and then the Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion as a Private no 50483. Later he transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion, as Private 40392. His Medal Roll Index Card only refers to the two latter regiments.

The regiment was involved in the Battle of Arras in April 1917 and the Arras Memorial contains his name among many others.

Association with Dawlish

George was the son of John William Edward Arthur Knapman (1865-1945) and Amy Endacott (1866 - ). They had four children, Maurice (1893- ), John (1895- ), Dora A (1896- ) and George (b St Thomas district, 1896, Oct-Dec, Vol 5b, page 70).

John W E A Knapman was born in SouthTawton and was the son of a farmer. He married Amy Endacott (born in Throwleigh) in 1892 and was the manager of a cider store, which the census record has altered to “Pub”. In 1901 the family was living at Houndspool, West Dawlish but they moved to be at 46 High Street in 1911. Prior to joining up George was in the ironmongery trade, with Mr J Shapter (see Dawlish Gazette report in Documents, below).

Devon Roll of Honour Knapman, George, Pte, R Dublin Fus, 24 April 1917, France
Additional Information Commonwealth War Graves Site


Next of Kin: Father, John William Edward Arthur Knapman
Last Known Address: 46 High Street, Dawlish


Royal Dublin Fusiliers cap badge

Text provided by Sheila Ralls, among documents

Birth Marriage Death records

Refs via subscription site Ancestry:

Census records

Medal Rolls Index Card

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War

UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects

Ireland, Casualties of the Great War