Knighton Family History

James Knighton was the first of the Knighton family who lived in Richmond Melbourne emigrate to Australia about 1853 from England. He married Eliza Ledwich in 1864 and they had three children. His surviving son William married Margaret Torpey and they had two children, James and Mary. James had one child a daughter.

The main family surnames on my mother’s paternal side are Knighton, Ledwich or Ledwidge and Torpey.

The first Knighton in our family to come out to Australia from England was James Knighton, my great great grandfather. There is a James Knighton, age 25, who arrived at Port Phillip bay from London on 9 July 1853 on the Sir Henry Hardinge. His birth date given as about 1828.  His death certificate says he had been in the colonies for about 30 years. If this is accurate he would have immigrated about 1853.

He married Eliza Ledwich on March 1, 1864 in Scots’ Presbyterian Church Melbourne Victoria Australia.

James Knighton & Eliza Ledwich Marriage 1864
Marriage Certificate of James Knighton & Eliza Ledwich 1864

James worked as a coachman in 1864 and his father James’ occupation is listed as groom. The Mary Ledwidge who witnessed the wedding was a sister of Eliza’s.

James Knighton Death Notice The Argus Mon 12 Nov 1883
James Knighton Death Notice The Argus Mon 12 Nov 1883

James Knighton died in November 1883 age 45.

James Knighton Death Certificate 1883_cropped
Death Certificate of James Knighton died 1883

At the time of his death he was living at Crown St Richmond and he died of renal cancer after a three month illness. His occupation was listed as manager. His father’s name was also James and his mother was Louisa. Her maiden name was not entered. The informant was James Beamish, his brother-in-law, who was living at Stanley St Richmond and married to his wife’s sister, Margaret Ledwidge. Two children are listed: William age 18 and James deceased.

On his death certificate it says he was born in Chelsea England whereas his marriage certificate has him being born in Jersey which is in the Channel Islands also part of England. I looked at all the census records for Jersey and no Knightons are listed at all. In the English mainland census records there are many Knightons. I think that his thick accent may have made Chelsea sound like Jersey. I have been unable to find any birth records for him with James and Louisa Knighton as parents.

James is buried with other family members in Boroondara Cemetery Kew Victoria.

Knighton Gravestone Boroondara Cemetery Kew
Grave of James Knighton, his infant son James, Eliza Knighton nee Ledwich and Margaret Knighton nee Torpey.
Knighton Graves Boroondara Cemetery
Knighton Family Graves Boroondara Cemetery Kew Victoria Australia

Eliza Knighton nee Ledwich died in Dec 1911. Eliza Ledwich’s family history is described more fully in this post Ledwidge or Ledwich Family History.

The Knightons lived in the inner Melbourne suburb of Richmond their whole lives.

James and Eliza Knighton nee Ledwidge had three children. William James, my great grandfather, was born in 1864, James Edward was born in 1866 but died aged 20 months. Richard was born in 1867 but there are no other records other than his birth registration so it is likely he died as a baby.

William James Knighton married Margaret (Maggie) Torpey in at St Ignatius’ Catholic Church 326 Church St Richmond Melbourne.

 

Margaret Torpey Marriage William Knighton 1893 cropped
Marriage Certificate of Margaret Torpey and William James Knighton 1893

She died in after giving birth to their second child Mary. This post  Torpey Family History has a lot more on the Torpey family.

In the census of 1909 for Victoria William was living with his mother Eliza at 8 Crown St Richmond. He worked as a labourer from 1909 to 1924. On his son James’ death certificate his occupation was given as coach builder. In 1914 he was still at 8 Crown St but from then on he was living at 4 Crown St Richmond. He died in 1925 aged 60 from cardiac failure. He is buried in Burwood Cemetery.

James William Knighton Death Certificate 1925
Death Certificate William James Knighton 1925

James, his son, was present when he died and was living at 160 Cowper St Footscray.

Jim Knighton Brighton FC cropped
Jim Knighton Brighton Football Team date unknown Second row first on left

Jim Knighton Football Team

1912 Jim Knighton 6th from the right in the second back row. Brighton Football Team

Brighton Football Club Player Lists 1912 & 1913

Brighton Football Club Player Lists 1912 & 1913

Brighton Football Club Players 1914 & 1915
Brighton Football Club Players 1914 & 1915

Jim Knighton Close Up

James Knighton in football jumper. Unknown club.

James (Jim) my grandfather served in WW1 and had injuries to his knee and leg. He was injured fighting on the Somme in 1918. This injury continued to give him pain throughout his life. He worked as a tanner.

James Knighton on horseback pre WW1
ames William Charles Knighton c1916

He enlisted on the 8th of May 1916 in Melbourne.

He was 5′ 9 3/4″ tall and weighed 162 lbs and was 22 years and two months old. His religion was listed as Catholic. He served in the 12th Army Field Artillery Brigade of the A.I.F. He was a gunner. He served on the Western Front in France and Belgium.

He embarked on the “Borda” from Melbourne on Oct 20 1916.

Embarkation Roll:  Service number: 27845  Rank: Gunner Roll title: 24 HB [Howitzer Brigade] – 2 to 10 Reinforcements (May 1916 – February 1917)  Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918    Date of embarkation: 20 October 1916  Place of embarkation: Melbourne  Ship embarked on: HMAT Borda  Ship number: A30

On the 28th Nov 1916 he broke ship and was AWL from 8 pm on that date until arrested by the guard. He was given 24 hrs detention.

9 Jan 1917 Arrived in Plymouth England

10 months in England?

23 Nov 1917 He left from Southampton  for France.

24 Nov 1917 Marched in ex-England. Place: Rouelles France.

26 Nov 1917 Marched out to 12th (A) F A Bade Rouelles.

30 Nov 1917 12th Army Bde posted to B.A.C. Belgium (Flanders?)

7 Dec 1917 Belgium

19 April 1918 Drunk on the field on active service. Given 10 days ?

22 August 1918 Wounded in action France 12 Army Bde. at the second Battle of the Somme which commenced on August 21. The battle took place along the northern part of the river near Baupaume.

23 August in General Hospital Rouen France

25 August 1918 Transferred to England on “Panama”

28 August 1918 he was admitted to hospital in Cheltenham England for right knee and left thigh injuries.

20 Dec 1918 Back to Australia on the “Karoola”

29 Jan 1919 Disembarked Australia. He was medically discharged. His discharge papers state he is totally incapacitated.

James Knighton date unkown in suit center
James Knighton is in the centre. Date Unknown.

In 1921 Jim Knighton married Grace Annie Frances Cook in Richmond Melbourne.

Grace Annie Frances Cook
Grace Annie Frances Cook
James Knighton & Grace Cook Marriage 1921 cropped
Marriage Certificate James Knighton and Grace Cook 1921

They had two children, Winifred and James.  James died in hospital after birth.

The marriage foundered and James left and went and lived with a french woman, Juliette.

Jim Knighton’s sister Mary married Henry Edward Miller and they had four sons, Henry, Bruce, James and Edward.

James “Jim” Knighton died in 1945 aged 52.

James William Chas Knighton Death Cert 1945
Death Certificate of James William Charles Knighton 1945
James Knighton 188 Drummond St Carlton
Last address of James Knighton. 188 Drummond St Carlton Melbourne.

James William Charles Knighton was the last son of this Knighton family descended from James and Louisa Knighton. He is buried in Burwood Cemetery Melbourne with his father and wife Grace Cook.

James William Knighton, James Knighton and Grace Cook Grave Burwood Cemetery
Grave of James William and James Charles Knighton and Grace Cook Burwood Cemetery Melbourne

James Knighton and Grace Cook had two children. A boy died at birth. I was told “he didn’t come home from the hospital”. Winifred Helena Knighton their only daughter was born 14 Sept 1920.

Winifred Knighton's First Communion
Winifred Knighton First Communion Melbourne

 

Winifred Knighton at a birthday party
Winifred Knighton at a birthday party arrow pointing to her
Nana and Mum
Grace Cook with daughter Wyn Knighton holding the cat
Winifred Fanning nee Knighton
Winifred Fanning nee Knighton

 

James & Louisa Knighton Descendants Report 2015
James & Louisa Knighton Descendants Report 2015

 

Author: Kathleen

I have done an Ancestry DNA test and also have uploaded my test results to GedMatch. My GedMatch kit numbers are A029138 and T470174. Please contact me if we are a match. kathleenmfanningAThotmailDOTcom

4 thoughts on “Knighton Family History”

  1. I was born in Grimsby, Ontario Canada 1953
    My dad James( Jim) Knighton was born in Toronto, Ontario Canada January 9, 1921
    His dad was also a James Knighton who was married to Effie (Cartwright) Knighton from England.
    My dad’s siblings with boys but my dad who is now 94 doesn’t remember much.
    All the best Sue Knighton
    48 Valley Road, St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2S1Y6

    1. Hi Susan,
      I wonder if we could be related? I don’t know much about my Knightons in England. I think they came from Chelsea but another document has Guernsey.
      Do you know the origins of your Knighton ancestors? All the best Kathleen

  2. My dad James Knighton DOB January 9 1921 married Avril Margaret Strubbe April 29 1923
    Dads dad was also James Knighton – born in England
    Dads mom was Effie Cartwright Knighton – born I England
    That is all I have for now

  3. My dad is James Knighton DOB January 21 1921 born in Toronto
    His dad was also James Knighton born in England (unknown were at this time)
    Dad’s mom was Effie Cartwright married to James Knighton both born in England.
    This is all I have for now.
    Thanks
    Sue

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