Knox, Samuel Wright

Captain Samuel (Sam) Wright Knox

Knox was born at Mount Sandel Cottage, Coleraine on 21st February 1869 to Robert Kyle Knox, Solicitor and Sara Knox nee Twigg. They had married at St George's Parish Church, Dublin on 17th January 1866.

Knox joined Northern Bank in 1885.

By 1901, Knox has married Lucy Grace O'Brien and they are living in house 11, Clifton Street, Belfast with Lucy's brother, Brian. Knox's children are Robert Kyle (2) and Lucy (0). A visitor, Mary McCoach and 2 servants, Isabella Bond and Ellen Ken are also in the house. Sam's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.  

By 1911, Knox was living in house 9, Somerton Road, Duncairn Ward, Belfast with his wife and 3 of his children; Dorothy Ann (10), Brian (6) and Mary Elizabeth (2). His mother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mary Dickson and Hilda Eveline Dickson were also in the house along with a governess, Annie Jane Ferguson Sproule and 2 servants, Sarah Jane McWilliam and Catherine Pidd. His occupation is described as a Bank Director. 

Robert and William were boarding at a school in house 61.2, Ulverton Road, Dalkey, Dublin.

Children

• Dorothy Ann Knox was born on 16th August 1900 at 11 C1 Clifton Street, Belfast. Her birth was registered on 12th February 1917 with the authority of the Register General. Sam's occupation is recorded as a Captain in the 16th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. 
  
  
• William O'Brien Knox was born on 9th November 1901 at 11 Clifton Street, Belfast. His birth was registered on 12th February 1917 with the authority of the Register General. Sam's occupation is recorded as a Captain in the 16th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. 
  
  
• Robert Kyle Knox was born on 19th July 1898 at 74 Antrim Road, Belfast. Sam's occupation is recorded as an Accountant. Robert would later join the Northern Bank and serve with distinction in the Great War.
  
  
• Brian Knox was born on 14th May 1904 at 'Avondale', Fortwilliam Park, Belfast. Sam's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.
  
  
• Mary Elizabeth Knox was born on 8th February 1909. Sam's occupation is recorded as a Banker.

Knox was based in Head Office when he volunteered and enlisted into the 16th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

He was then attached to Royal Artillery at Flamertigue (Ypres) 1917 and is recorded as seeing action at the Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Messines 1917 and Ypres 1917 (Passchendaele). 

Knox was wounded twice and then invalided out of the service in February 1918. 

He resigned his commission to resume civic duties and was granted the honorary rank of Captain on 14th March 1918. 

The Belfast News Letter of 14th March 1918 reports:

In 1921 he was serving as a Director of Northern Bank.

When the Ulster Tower was opened in 1921 at Thiepval, France, trees were planted in memory of the officers and men who died there.  Tree markers were made and erected with the trees. At a later date, after the trees had died out, the markers were disposed of in a skip. Some were rescued and are now in the Albert Museum, France. This marker records a tree planted on behalf of the 'British Legion' by Capt S W Knox.

Picture courtesy of Valerie Quinn & John McCormick

The 1925 published 'Northern Banking Company Limited, 1824-1924 Centenary Volume has this photo of S W Knox in it.

Belfast Boat Club - Roll of Honour

The Northern Whig of 24th August 1929 reported the death of Captain S W Knox on 23rd August 1929:

Knox was a keen sportsman involved in rowing for Trinity College, cricket, football and was a member of Royal Belfast, Royal Portrush, Royal County Down and Malone Golf Clubs.

A couple of staff members contacted me and mentioned a S W Knox - 1928 Golf Challenge Cup that is currently played for in Headfort Golf Club, Kells, Co. Meath. No further details could be found about it.

S W Knox - 1928 Golf Challenge Cup