Errol Knox

Sir Errol Galbraith Knox, (25 June 1889 – 17 October 1949) was an Australian newspaperman. A graduate of the University of Sydney, he served in the Australian Flying Corps in the First World War. During the Second World War, he was the Army's director-general of public relations.

Early life Errol Galbraith Knox was born in the Sydney suburb of Glebe on 25 June 1889, the eighth child of Joseph Knox, a grocer, and his wife Elizabeth Jane Drew. He was educated at Fort Street Public School, where he acquired the nickname "Knocker", and at the University of Sydney, where he studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree. which sent him the United States to learn his chosen craft with the Hearst organisation. For his services, he was mentioned in despatches on 31 December 1918, and he became a Member of the Order of the British Empire on 3 June 1919. On 4 September 1919, he married Gertrude Mary Coore in a Roman Catholic ceremony (although he was brought up as a Presbyterian) in the Priory of our Lady of England in Thakeham. He embarked for Australia with his wife on the on 22 December. His AIF appointment was terminated on 18 May 1920, and he was officially transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 29 September. In 1937 he moved to Melbourne as editor of The Argus. He became its managing director in 1940.

Second World War

On 28 December 1942, Knox joined the Second Australian Imperial Force as Director General of Public Relations, with the rank of brigadier and the service number VX91041. In this role he oversaw the publicity and the work of war correspondents and the collection of material for military history. He travelled widely, to the front in New Guinea, and to the United States and United Kingdom in May to November 1943. However, his health declined. He relinquished the appointment and was transferred to the retired list on 31 January 1944.

Knox died from a coronary occlusion in Mount Saint Evin's Private Hospital in Melbourne on 17 October 1949. A requiem mass was held at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, celebrated by Archbishop Justin Simonds and presided over by Archbishop Daniel Mannix. Staff of The Argus (Melbourne) lined the footpath on Elizabeth Street. Among those present were the Premier of Victoria, Thomas Hollway, Lieutenant Generals Iven Mackay and Cyril Clowes, and newspapermen Sir Keith Murdoch and Hugh Syme. He was buried at Woodend Cemetery.