Company Sergeant Major Sidney G Knight MM

Sidney George Knight was serving as a sergeant with 10th Battalion, The Essex Regiment, when it was turned over to a parachute infantry role in December 1942 and redesignated as the 9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion.

He attended RAF Ringway for parachute training on course 47, which ran from 18 January to 1 February 1943, as part of a cadre of 182 men from the battalion.  The course instructors’ notes record “Sgt Knight: Cheerful – capable leader and excellent performer.”

In Normandy he initially fought as a member of No 4 Anti-Tank Platoon, Headquarters Company. Sergeant Knight was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery during the assault on the Merville Battery, which threatened the amphibious landings on Sword Beach. His citation reads:

'Normandy June 6th - September 6th 1944 for outstanding and continuous devotion to duty. Throughout the campaign this N.C.O. has been a shining example to the men in his coy. His enthusiasm and great desire on every possible opportunity to join battle with the enemy coupled with a complete and continuous contempt of danger has marked him out as a splendid leader whom every man would willingly follow under all circumstances. This N.C.O.'s action in the early hours of D day is quoted as an example.

During the assault on the SALLENELLES Bty in the early morning of D day the assault parties became pinned down by MG [Machine Gun] fire from the right flank. Sgt Knight immediately took three men, assaulted the MG position with grenade and bayonet killing the crew. He then engaged a further position in the same manner and with equal success. His immediate and audacious action under heavy fire had a considerable bearing on the success of the operation.'

Sid was later promoted to Company Sergeant Major of C Coy and fought with the battalion in the Ardennes. He made a second combat jump for Operation Varsity, the Rhine crossing into Germany, on his 32nd birthday (24 March 1945) carrying a cake baked by his wife!

Sid held various positions on his return to civilian life, mainly in the retail trade with his wife Gladys, and retired to Dorset in 1978.

See below for CSM Knight’s account of the attack on Merville Battery.

Proifle image supplied by Neil Barber.