WW1 Silver Cup Gommecourt Casualty 1st July 1916 South Staffordshire Officer

This amazing piece of history belonged to Lt Gavin Knowles 1/5th South Staffordshire regiment KIA on the 1st July 1916. On the cup is says 'Lt Gavin Tenison Royle Knowles, 1/5th South Staffordshire Regiment, killed on July 1st 1916 in the German first line German trenches, Gommecourt, France

Knowles was born on 9th April 1895. The son of Benjamin Charles Knowles of Caldwell House, Wednesbury he was educated at Rossall, where he joined the OTC. He was commissioned on 14th October 1914 and promoted Lieutenant on 27th June 1916. He was reported 'missing' on 1st July 1916.

He commanded No. 13 Platoon, D Company (Nov 15 to July 16). He commanded bombing parties F and G of the 5/S Staffs that went over with the leading battalion the 6/S Staffs in the Gommecourt attack.

6443 Sgt J Williams, D Company: "I was in a bombing attack in the German lines with Lt Knowles on July 1st, 1916. When about fifteen yards away retiring from wounds and loss of blood I saw him fall shot."

9952 Pte A Hosell, D Company: "We went over the top at 7.30, myself, Sgt Williams and your son. We got into the German first line when we met a party of Germans and we started bombing. There was only about 8 of us that got to the Germans and to our surprise we found that there were only four of us in that part of the line.

Your son being a brave and noble officer would not think of retiring. Then we lost Sgt Williams after being wounded three times, then we lost the Corporal wounded. There was only me and your son left. As we were getting short of bombs your son had my rifle sniping at the Germans keeping them at bay. I am sorry to say he only fired one shot when he got shot in the head and fell down. I went to him and found he was dead... When Lt Knowles fell he made no sound and death was instantaneous. I remained with him about three minutes and took his head in my arms shook him and called him by name but there was no response he was quite dead. I left his body where it was as the order was given to retreat."

Williams and Hosell were both part of G bombing party, Hosell being the bayonet man.

The cup has been cleaned a long time ago however the inscription is still crisp and legible.