Headquarters staff, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. France. June, 1916. (Front row,L-R): Captains W.H. Collum, P. MacKenzie. (Centre row,L-R): Major J.M. Prower, Brigadier-General L.J. Lipsett, Major B.M. Humble. (Rear row,L-R):Major H.W. Harbord, Captains H.E. Knobel, G. Norton, T.H. Raddall. MIKAN No. 3520907

Captain Henry Edward Knobel in the Great War

Home | Soldiers | Captain Henry Edward Knobel in the Great War

Captain Henry Edward Knobel born 4 September 1871 in Burton-on-Trent, Derby England. Father Edward Knobel Residing at 32, Tavistock Square, Derby, England. Rising steadily in the ranks, Knobel became O/C of the 8th Battalion, then Staff Captain of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, and finally a special assignment as the first Official Photographer of the Canadian War Records Office (CWRO).

3359143 Captain Henry Edward Knobel
The Swans of Ypres.  These swans have lived through all the shelling that Ypres has gone through. The centre bird was born during the War. MIKAN No. 3359143

Above, the last photo taken by Knobel during his period as CWRO photographer. Unfortunately, Henry suffered delayed onset of PTSD, and though he tried to return to the front, he returned to Canada in 1917.

Enlistment of Private Henry Edward Knobel

Private Knobel Henry Edward Knobel enlisted at Valcartier, Quebec on 27 August 1914 with the 8th Battalion. He was 32 years old, standing 5′ 11″ tall with turning grey complexion, blue eyes, and turning grey hair, 5 years previous service with Cadet Corps.

3405972 Captain Henry Edward Knobel
Dolly (8th Infantry Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles)). June, 1916  Just west of Abele, Belgium. MIKAN No. 3405972

8th Canadian Infantry Battalion

Organized in Valcartier Camp in September 1914 initially composed of recruits from Winnipeg and from the 96th Lake Superior Regt. of the Active Militia.

Major-General L.J. Lipsett, Commander of 3rd Canadian Division, Camblain l`Abbé, May 1918. MIKAN No. 3218378
Major-General L.J. Lipsett, Commander of 3rd Canadian Division, Camblain l`Abbé, May 1918. MIKAN No. 3218378

The 8th Battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Louis J Lipsett. The unit embarked Quebec City 1 October 1914 aboard FRANCONIA, and later disembarked in England on 14 October 1914 with a strength of 47 officers, 1106 other ranks.

Church Parade on board S.S. FRANCONIA en route to Britain, October 1914. MIKAN No. 3194465
Church Parade on board S.S. FRANCONIA en route to Britain, October 1914. MIKAN No. 3194465

The 8th Battalion later disembarked in France 13 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 18th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

3194235 Captain Henry Edward Knobel
Church service, 8th Battalion, Stonehenge. Nov-Dec 1914. MIKAN No. 3194235

England

Private Henry Edward Knobel promoted to Corporal and Lance/Sergeant from 10 January 1915 at Lark Hill. Proceeding overseas four months later, Knobel granted a commission with the 8th Battalion.

8th Battalion. Winnipeg Rifles, on Salisbury Plain. Bayonet Practice with bags of straw
8th Battalion. Winnipeg Rifles, on Salisbury Plain. Bayonet Practice with bags of straw. MIKAN No. 3404362

8th Battalion, Winnipeg Rifles, on Salisbury Plain – Bayonet Practice with bags of straw.

France

Corporal Henry Edward Knobel to be Temporary Lieutenant, 15 May 1915 with the 8th Battalion. Knobel does not hold the position for long, with the deaths of Lt Passmore, Lt Scott MC and Captain Ernest D’Harcourt McMeans on 22 May 1915, Knobel to be Temporary Captain with the 8th Battalion.

Brig.-Gen. Burstall and Captain Papineau. July, 1916. Brig. Gen. Henry E. Burstall was Officer Commanding the 2nd Canadian Division in 1916. Capt. Talbot M. Papineau, Military Cross, was serving at this time attached to the Canadian War Records Office, and was later killed in action at Passchendaele. MIKAN No. 3404737
Brig.-Gen. Burstall and Captain Papineau. July, 1916. Brig. Gen. Henry E. Burstall was Officer Commanding the 2nd Canadian Division in 1916. Capt. Talbot M. Papineau, Military Cross, was serving at this time attached to the Canadian War Records Office, and was later killed in action at Passchendaele. MIKAN No. 3404737

Captain Henry Edward Knobel granted seven days leave from 18 November 1915, admitted with influenza, and later discharged from Administration District Resting Station, Mt Noir, 26 November 1915.

Staff Captain

On 11 January 1916, Captain Henry Edward Knobel takes over as Staff Captain of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. Knobel, already well-acquainted with General Louis J Lipsett from his days in the 8th Battalion.

Knobel, with General Louis Lipsett, visits the trenches on 16 January 1916 to locate new defensive positions, returning again on the night of the 19th, and 22nd.

Resting in Reserve Trenches, 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance. June, 1916 Captain Henry Edward Knobel
Resting in Reserve Trenches, 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance. June, 1916. MIKAN No. 3194769

On 21 March 1916, Captain Henry Edward Knobel visited billets in Canadians Corps Reserve area around Fletre. Knobel leaves for Thieushouek on 30 March 1916, the brigade arriving the next day.

Canadian War Records Office

Canadian War Records Office photos organized and given prefixes by the CWRO.

The largest of these CWRO-created prefixes the “O” prefix. It includes about 4705 images, taken between May 1916 and May 1919. 

A hair cut, 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance. June, 1916 Captain Henry Edward Knobel
A hair cut, 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance. June, 1916. MIKAN No. 3396674

Knobel captured 478 published images in the O.1-O.510 sequence. Most of the unpublished images originally censored.

Special Duty

Captain Henry Edward Knobel to special duty, Canadian Army Corps HQ as Photographer, 11 May 1916.

Captain Henry Edward Knobel Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 15 June 1916.

L/Cpl. Henry Saunderson 898, 8th Battalion, after his escape from Germany at Tilbury, England, 19 June 1916.
L/Cpl. Henry Saunderson 898, 8th Battalion, after his escape from Germany at Tilbury, England, 19 June 1916. 3220901

On 22 June 1916 at Ouderdom, Captain Knobel took an official photograph of the 2nd CIB Staff (including himself). Knobel, rear row, second from left.

Headquarters staff, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. France. June, 1916. (Front row,L-R): Captains W.H. Collum, P. MacKenzie. (Centre row,L-R): Major J.M. Prower, Brigadier-General L.J. Lipsett, Major B.M. Humble. (Rear row,L-R):Major H.W. Harbord, Captains H.E. Knobel, G. Norton, T.H. Raddall
Headquarters staff, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. France. 22 June 1916. (Front row,L-R): Captains W.H. Collum, P. MacKenzie. (Centre row,L-R): Major J.M. Prower, Brigadier-General L.J. Lipsett, Major B.M. Humble. (Rear row,L-R):Major H.W. Harbord, Captains H.E. Knobel, G. Norton, T.H. Raddall MIKAN No. 3520907

Farewell dinner to General Lipsett

Farewell dinner to General Lipsett, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 28 June 1916. Photo depicts soldiers sitting at trestle tables in camp in the open air. The commanding officer of the 2nd Brigade, Louis Lipsett, given a promotion to lead the entire 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.

Farewell dinner to General Lipsett. 2nd Infantry Brigade. 28 June 1916. Photo depicts soldiers sitting at trestle tables in camp in the open air. The commanding officer of the 2nd Brigade, Louis Lipsett, was given a promotion to lead the entire 3rd Canadian Division in June, 1916 when his superior, General Mercer, was killed. MIKAN No. 3394730
Farewell dinner to General Lipsett. 2nd Infantry Brigade. 28 June 1916. Photo depicts soldiers sitting at trestle tables in camp in the open air. The commanding officer of the 2nd Brigade, Louis Lipsett, was given a promotion to lead the entire 3rd Canadian Division in June, 1916 when his superior, General Mercer, was killed. MIKAN No. 3394730

On 6 August 1916, the first Canadian Official War Photographer, Captain Henry Edward Knobel photographed the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion (1st British Columbia). More than 6000 men served in the 7th Battalion which suffered 1440 killed and 3294 wounded during its 45 months on the Western Front. Members of the Battalion earned over 270 awards for gallantry, including three Victoria Crosses, the highest award for Valour in the Empire. The VCs were earned by Captain Edward Donald Bellew and Privates Michael James O’Rourke and Walter Leigh Rayfield.

Hon Lt Frederick Oscar Bovill

Hon Lt Frederick Oscar Bovill had 7 years experience with the Royal Field Artillery prior to the war, and attested with the CEF on 31 July 1916 in London, England. Reported from Overseas for duty with CWRO on 26 August 1916 as the official Canadian cinematographer. He returned from his first tour on 4 September 1916.

Remaining original members of the Sergt.'s Mess, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916
Remaining original members of the Sergt.’s Mess, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916

PTSD

Knobel granted leave to Canada from 16 August 1916, Neurasthenia (began eight months previously with attack of Trench Fever), marked tremor of hands.

Captain Henry Edward Knobel
(Visit of H.M. The King to the Canadian Corps, Reningelst) Maj.-Gen. Currie chatting with the Official Cinematographer, Captain Harry E. Knobel (sic), 22 August 1916.  Note: The official cinematographer in this photograph is Lt. Frederick Oscar Bovill.

Transferred to HQ, CTD, Shorncliffe on being admitted to D of E Hospital, 1 Hyde Park Place, London.

Hon Lt Frederick Oscar Bovil reported for his second tour of duty on 27 September 1916, in time for the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. He returned to England on 8 November 1916.

Examined at Port Arthur, 27 October 1916 and 26 January 1917. Leave extended to 27 January 1917, and again to 26 April 1917.

Return to England

Transferred to Manitoba Regimental Depot, Shorncliffe, 21 May 1917. His nerves shot, still having trouble sleeping, and having difficulty maintaining weight, Knobel soon returns to Canada. SoS, resigned Commission in Canada, 16 June 1917.

Royal Highlanders of Canada Captain Henry Edward Knobel
Kitten born in the trenches. 13th Battalion June, 1916. MIKAN No. 3359295

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