Stratford sub Castle Village Website
Salisbury, Wiltshire UK
Commonweath War Grave - Joseph Knight
In November 2015 we held a special service to remember Joseph Knight, one of the Australian war dead in our churchyard. Joseph was an Australian Aborigine. It was a moving occasion attended by Steve Howarth, Joseph’s great, great nephew and representatives of the Australian Army and High Commission and John Glen, our MP. Steve was accompanied by Joe Flick. Joe has worked tirelessly for Aborigine human rights all his life.
The names of Aborigines who fought and died in the Australian services during the world wars were not added to war memorials in Australia until recent years.
In contrast, this country treated Joseph Knight the same as any other war dead. He was buried with full military honours and given a marked grave with headstone in our churchyard, provided by the War Graves Commission in the 1920s. His great, great nephew, Steve Howarth, was deeply grateful for the way we honoured the memory of his ancestor and for the special service the Rev Tessa Mann had arranged. Joe Flick impressed all in the village who met him on that visit including the schoolchildren at Stratford Primary.
On Sunday 13 November 2016, as we were preparing for the Service of Remembrance, Joe Flick appeared unannounced. He had travelled all the way from Australia to visit the Somme and to be at our Remembrance commemoration. He was warmly welcomed and incorporated into the service. With some quick adjustments to the programme Joe joined Maj Gen Robert McAfee in laying the wreath at the Commonwealth War Graves Memorial.
On Monday 14 November Joe Flick visited Stratford school where he regaled the enthralled children with stories of his aboriginal roots. He also presented each class with a book and the school with two flags – the Australian national flag and the Aborigine flag. We plan to fly the Aboriginal Flag from the church tower on Anzac Day 2017. The school are hoping to form a link with the school in the village Joseph Knight grew up in.
Jim Platt
The above is an extract from a longer article published in the St Lawrence Church Parish Magazine in December 2016 and appears here by kind permission of Jim Platt.
The Knight brothers
The information below was added to the website on 2 May 2026. Many thanks to Yaluu See You Again (Facebook) for permission to reproduce it here.
The Knight brothers were proud Gunu Barkindji men from Bourke who answered the call during the First World War. Albert, William, and Joseph Knight.
In 1915 to 1916, the Knight brothers each left Bourke bound for a war on the other side of the world. The brothers served with honour. They served with distinction.
On 30 September 1918, under heavy enemy fire, Corporal Albert Knight DCM advanced across 250 metres of open ground to locate German machine-gun positions. No cover. Under fire. Using shell holes as protection.
His actions helped turn the battle. For this, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. But really should've received the VC for this selfless and brave act.
His brother, Lance Corporal William “Bill” Knight, was also decorated for his bravery - receiving the Military Medal. Only around 20 gallantry medals were awarded to Indigenous Australian soldiers in WWI. Two of them… went to two brothers from the same family! Fortunately, Albert and William survived the war and returned home.
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Albert [left] and William [right] Knight
Sadly… their brother Joseph did not. Tragically, Private Joseph Knight never made it to the battlefield. After arriving in England, he fell ill during training with bronchial pneumonia. On 16 February 1917, he died in a military hospital. He was just 21 years old. Joseph was laid to rest in St Lawrence’s Churchyard, Stratford-sub-Castle, England. Separated from his family and country for close to a hundred years.
Then in November, 2015, a century later, a special service was held at Joseph's gravesite.
His great nephew, Gunu Barkindji man Steve Howarth, travelled all the way from Australia to visit his grave. He was joined by Gomeroi, Yullaroi man Joe Flick. They poured soil onto Joseph's grave from Gunu Barkindji country, connecting Joseph back with his traditional country, connecting him back with his brothers Albert and William once again.
We will remember the Knight brothers and the sacrifice they made.
Lest We Forget.