Personal resonance to Anzac Day

Forbes Knight wears a ''lemon squeezer'' hat and holds his father's World War 1 ribbons as he...
Forbes Knight wears a ''lemon squeezer'' hat and holds his father's World War 1 ribbons as he prepares for Anzac Day. Photo by Liam Cavanagh.
Millers Flat resident Forbes Knight (83) is preparing for a very special Anzac Day.

The Roxburgh-Millers Flat RSA life member will be thinking especially about his father, Sydney Knight, and his second cousin, Private Wilfred Victor Knight, of Waipori, while attending Anzac services in Millers Flat and Roxburgh tomorrow.

Pte Knight, who was a member of the Australian army after having left New Zealand years earlier, was the first New Zealander reported killed at Gallipoli, within a few days of landing on the Gallipoli shores.

Forbes Knight said he did not know much about the exploits of his relation, because ''you didn't ask in those days''.

He learned little bits through various fishing trips with his late father.

Sydney Knight also fought at Gallipoli - he spent his 24th birthday there - but his tour was short-lived after he was shot by a sniper in Shrapnel Gully.

He later spent time in hospital in England.

''The war knocked the hell out of him.''

Forbes Knight was to fight in the Korean War (1950-53), but it ended before he was shipped out.

He received the New Zealand Defence Service Medal in 2011 for completing compulsory military training.

- Liam Cavanagh 

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