Great x3 Uncle Walter Knott

My Great x3 Uncle Walter (1860 - 1916) was a private in the army, railway carman, father of seven, and the younger brother of my Great Great Grandmother Bessie Staddon Edworthy (nee Nott) (1859 - 1919).

Walter was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1860 in Morchard Bishop, Devon, to William Nott, an agricultural labourer, and Grace Nott (nee Cobley) (about 32), a wool weaver.

Walter and his older Frederick spelt their surname with a k - as in Knott -; whilst other members of the family spelt with without - as in Nott. 

Walter was the seventh of nine children (four sons and five daughters):

• William  1850 - after 1861
• John Henry  1852 - after 1861
• Frederick  1853 - 1927  (74)
• Mary Emma  1855 - after 1871
• Eliza Lydia  1856 - 1869  (12)
• Bessie Staddon  1859 - 1919  (about 60)
• Walter  1860 - 1916  (55)
• Jessie Rose 1864 - 1947  (83)
• Agnes  1866 - 1924  (57)

1861 Census: 

In 1869, Walter's older sister Eliza passed away, aged only twelve.

1871 Census:

On 15th January 1877, Walter (859) joined the army. He seems to have lied about his age, claiming to be nineteen, when he was in fact only sixteen. He enlisted as a private, in the 34th Brigade (infantry brigade).

Walter's service record gives a physical description of Walter: he was 5'5''/5'6'', had light brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His character was repeatedly described as 'very good'.

He served in England, from 16th January 1877 to 12th January 1878 (just short of one year); then in East India, from 13th January 1878 to 28th July 1880 (two and half years); then in Afghanistan, from 29th July 1880 to 8th May 1881 (nearly two years); then back in East India, from 9th May 1881 to 10th March 1883 (nearly two years); after six years active service, he was back at home from 11th March 1883 to 15th January 1889, transferring to the reserves on 22nd March 1883. He was discharged on 15th January 1889.

During his service: from 29th July 1880 to 8th May 1881, he fought in the Second Anglo-Afghan War. For which he was awarded the Afghanistan Medal.

Whilst in the army, Walter suffered from a series of illnesses...

Whilst still in England, for seven days, from 6th November 1877 to 12th November 1877, he had diarrhoea. 

Seventeen-year-old, Walter contracted gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection, three months after arriving in India. Sadly, this may well have likely been from an India woman, prostituted to/by the British army. 

Whilst out in India... For thirty-seven days, from 2nd April 1878 to 8th May 1878, he had gonorrhoea. For six days, from 19th March 1879 to 24th March 1879, he had ague (malaria or another illness involving fever and shivering). And again had ague for five days, from 8th September 1879 to 12th September 1879, and once more for seven days, from 24th November 1879 to 1st December 1879. 

Whilst out in Afghanistan... For thirteen days, from 24th October 1880 to 6th November 1880, had dysentery (for which he was treated with opium). For twenty-fives days, from 1st January 1881 to 25th January 1881, suffered from a general debility.

He became a carrier/carman from the railway in Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, in March 1883, but was also still a private in the army reserve, serving until 1889 (serving for twelve years).

On 28th December 1884, Walter (24), a army private and railway carman, married Esther Lovell (24), a native of Woolwich, London, in St Mary, Portsea, Hampshire. At the time of his marriage, Walter lived at 57 Surrey Street; whilst Esther lived at 67 Bishop Street. The marriage was witnessed by members of Esther's family.

Walter and Esther had seven children (three daughters and four sons):

• Esther  1885 
• Jessie  1887
• Mabel Grace  1890  
• Frederick  1892 - 1896  (4 years old)
• Walter  1892 - 1902  (10 years old)
• Henry 'Percy' Percy  1894 - 1917  (23 years old)
• William 'Willie' Edward  1897  

All seven children were born in Portsea Island/Portsmouth.

1891 Census:

Sadly, Walter and Esther's twin sons, Frederick and Walter (named for his father) passed away in childhood. In Jul/Aug/Sep 1896, Frederick passed away, at four years old, in Portsea Island. In Jul/Aug/Sep 1902, Walter passed away, at ten years old, in Portsea Island.

Come 1901, the family had lodgers.

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

In February 1916, Walter, suffering from ill health, which had led to depression, attempted to take his own life. He put his head in the gas oven and was rendered unconscious; however, his wife Esther alerted the local constable, who performed artificial respiration, which was successful. Walter was taken to hospital and then to the infirmary.

From the Portsmouth Evening News of 15th February 1916:

Three months later, on 3rd May 1916, Walter did pass away, aged fifty-five, after what is described as 'great' and 'much suffering' . At the time his abode was 6 Salem Street, Southsea.

From the Portsmouth Evening News of 6th May 1916:

Sadly, a year and half after Walter's death, his son Percy was killed in action, during the First World War. Percy (20953) was a private in the Coldstream Guards. He was killed on 27th November 1917 in France, aged twenty-three.

At the time of Percy's death, his widowed mother Esther lived at 37 Wingfield Street, Landport, Portsmouth.

Esther passed away, aged about 75, in Oct/Nov 1935, in the district of Portsmouth