Private Knutson - Saskatchewan Regiment - 1917
886428 Private
H.Knutson
5th Battalion Canadian Inf.
14th December 1917 Age 22
Name: KNUTSON, HARRY HOYE
Rank: Private Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment) Unit Text: 5th Bn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 14/12/1917 Service No: 886428
Additional information: Son of Steinulf Knutson Svalastogh and his wife Svaanoug Olavsdatter, of Notteroy, Tansberg, Norway. Born at Seljord Telemarken, Norway. Grave/Memorial Reference: 54. 10. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2803196
Harry Knutson was born on the 14/09/1895. His enlistment papers can be seen on the Canadian Archive site
collectionscanada.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e.php?im...
And
collectionscanada.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e.php?im...
At the time of his enlistment he was living at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He gives his place of birth as Tonsberg (Tansberg?). He gives his profession as a Labourer, and he was single. He attested on the 28th February 1916.
He is described as 5 feet 8.5 inches, with Light Brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. His religion is given as Lutheran.
In April 1917, the 5th Battalion was part of the assault on the Pimple, the highest point on Vimy Ridge, during which the Canadian Corps successfully captured that position. Following the victory at Vimy Ridge, the 5th Battalion formed the left flank of the 1st Division’s attack on the town of Arleux-en-Gohelle. The Battle at Arleux-en-Gohelle was the only allied success during the advance on Hill 70, a critical position needed to defend the Canadian line. In August 1917 the Battalion, as part of the 2nd Canadian Brigade, was successful in taking the hill and holding it despite suffering heavy casualties. During the Second Battle of Passchendaele, officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, the 5th Battalion fought the enemy in close combat over a 17-day period. On November 12, 1917, after three months of fighting, Passchendaele was finally taken.
esask.uregina.ca/entry/5th_western_cavalry_battalion.html
www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Army Corps/Divisions/1st Division/2nd Infantry Brigade/5th Battalion.htm
The 5th had been particularly involved in the battles on the 30th October 1917, when they and other fresh Canadian troops were thrown in to restore some momentum to the Allied offensive. Although the unit was one of the few to achieve its objectives, casualties were heavy, with a significant number gassed. I suspect Private Knutson was evacuated to the Norfolk War Hospital and probably passed away from his injuries.
From my investigations of Australian casualties who are buried in Earlham Cemetery, (and for which there is a wealth of on-line information), this seems to be a familiar theme. I don’t know if the hospital specialised in treating gas poisoning, or whether it was simply so common that all War Hospitals received their share.
Private Knutson - Saskatchewan Regiment - 1917
886428 Private
H.Knutson
5th Battalion Canadian Inf.
14th December 1917 Age 22
Name: KNUTSON, HARRY HOYE
Rank: Private Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment) Unit Text: 5th Bn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 14/12/1917 Service No: 886428
Additional information: Son of Steinulf Knutson Svalastogh and his wife Svaanoug Olavsdatter, of Notteroy, Tansberg, Norway. Born at Seljord Telemarken, Norway. Grave/Memorial Reference: 54. 10. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2803196
Harry Knutson was born on the 14/09/1895. His enlistment papers can be seen on the Canadian Archive site
collectionscanada.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e.php?im...
And
collectionscanada.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e.php?im...
At the time of his enlistment he was living at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He gives his place of birth as Tonsberg (Tansberg?). He gives his profession as a Labourer, and he was single. He attested on the 28th February 1916.
He is described as 5 feet 8.5 inches, with Light Brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. His religion is given as Lutheran.
In April 1917, the 5th Battalion was part of the assault on the Pimple, the highest point on Vimy Ridge, during which the Canadian Corps successfully captured that position. Following the victory at Vimy Ridge, the 5th Battalion formed the left flank of the 1st Division’s attack on the town of Arleux-en-Gohelle. The Battle at Arleux-en-Gohelle was the only allied success during the advance on Hill 70, a critical position needed to defend the Canadian line. In August 1917 the Battalion, as part of the 2nd Canadian Brigade, was successful in taking the hill and holding it despite suffering heavy casualties. During the Second Battle of Passchendaele, officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, the 5th Battalion fought the enemy in close combat over a 17-day period. On November 12, 1917, after three months of fighting, Passchendaele was finally taken.
esask.uregina.ca/entry/5th_western_cavalry_battalion.html
www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Army Corps/Divisions/1st Division/2nd Infantry Brigade/5th Battalion.htm
The 5th had been particularly involved in the battles on the 30th October 1917, when they and other fresh Canadian troops were thrown in to restore some momentum to the Allied offensive. Although the unit was one of the few to achieve its objectives, casualties were heavy, with a significant number gassed. I suspect Private Knutson was evacuated to the Norfolk War Hospital and probably passed away from his injuries.
From my investigations of Australian casualties who are buried in Earlham Cemetery, (and for which there is a wealth of on-line information), this seems to be a familiar theme. I don’t know if the hospital specialised in treating gas poisoning, or whether it was simply so common that all War Hospitals received their share.