About Harry Knox
Lived 1873 – 1971 (aged 97). Harry Knox was a British military leader.
General Sir Harry Hugh Sidney Knox, (5 November 1873 – 10 June 1971) was a senior British Army officer who served as Adjutant-General to the Forces from 1935 to 1937.
Early life and education Knox was born in Newcastle, County Down, the fourth son of Vesey Edmund Knox and Margaret Clarissa Garrett. Edmund Vesey Knox and Maj.-Gen. Sir Alfred Knox were his elder brothers. His great-grandfather was Hon. Vesey Knox, third son of Thomas Knox, 1st Viscount Northland of Dungannon, and brother of Thomas Knox, 1st Earl of Ranfurly (1754–1840); William Knox (1762–1831), Bishop of Derry; George Knox (1765–1827), MP for Dublin University; Charles Knox (1770–1825), Archdeacon of Armagh; and Edmund Knox (1772–1849), Bishop of Limerick.
He was educated at Saint Columba's College, Dublin. and promoted to the rank of lieutenant on 26 August 1895. He served on the North-West Frontier between 1897 and 1898, where he took part in the Tirah Campaign, including operations on the Samana Range, the capture of the Sampagha Pass and Arhanga Pass (October 1897), and operations in the Bara valley (December 1897). In January 1900, he was seconded for service under the Foreign Office, and attached to the Uganda Rifles. He returned to regular service with his regiment in March 1902, and was promoted to the rank of captain on 1 April 1902. The following month he was appointed adjutant of the 1st Battalion.
Knox fought in the First World War, and was involved in the British Expeditionary Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1917 and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1919. For his war service he was also made an Officer of the Belgian Order of the Crown; he received permission to wear his decoration from 7 February 1921.
After the war Knox became a colonel at the Staff College, Camberley. He was appointed Director of Military Training at the War Office in 1926, was promoted to major general in May, and then became General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Division in 1930.
In the 1935 New Year Honours, Knox was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He served as Adjutant-General to the Forces between March 1935 and 1937.
In retirement Knox was Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1938 to 1943.
Family In 1904, Knox married Grace Una Storrs, daughter of Rev. Robert Augustine Storrs. They had one daughter, Una Sheila Colleen, who in 1939 married Lt.-Gen. Sir Archibald Nye.
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Important facts
People in Harry Knox's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Harry Knox?
British Army general (1873-1971)
When was Harry Knox born?
Harry Knox was born on 5 November 1873.
When did Harry Knox die?
Harry Knox died on 10 June 1971.
What was Harry Knox's occupation?
Harry Knox was a military leader.
What nationality was Harry Knox?
Harry Knox was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Harry Knox. https://biography.guide/harry-knox/
MLA: "Harry Knox." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/harry-knox/.
Chicago: "Harry Knox." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/harry-knox/.
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