Ernest Knott was born at Edmondthorpe on 17 January 1891. His mother was later recorded as living at Stapleford Park. Before he enlisted in August 1914 at the very start of the First World War, Ernest was a footman working for Lord Ranksborough at Barleythorpe and was living in Langham. He went out to the Western Front as a Corporal in July 1915 with the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and a month later was promoted to Sergeant. He was killed during the Battle of the Somme on 14 July 1916 at Bazentin-le-Petit Wood when a shell burst over him. George Phillips described him as a very popular NCO. He is remembered on Pier 3A of the Thiepval Memorial. However, he is not on Langham and Barleythorpe's war memorial in Langham churchyard although he is on the Roll of Honour inside the church.

See where all our Rutland soldiers died during the Battle of the Somme on our interactive map.

Photograph courtesy Langham Village History Group