The Diary of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Hamish Knox, OBE

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Hamish Knox compiled this fascinating diary throughout his long life in the Army and the Prison Service, ending his career as Commissioner of Convict Prisons, for which he received his knighthood. On his retirement he went through the diary in 1939 and added further details to the contemporary text. Enjoy reading about his childhood in India, with his elephant 'nanny', and in England at the end of the nineteenth century. He recounts his love of travel, both in Europe as a teenager and later in the Army, serving in Gibraltar, the West Indies, South Africa and Egypt. While in the Prison Service and on his retirement, he travelled all over the South of England by bicycle, motor bike with his 4 eldest children in a side car, and finally in a motorised bath chair! He also went on a cruise to the Mediterranean with his youngest daughter. His tenacity in attempting to pass into the Army Staff College should be an example to all! Having left the Army in 1904 to marry and join the Prison Service, where he was the Governor of several gaols, at the start of the First World War he lobbied to be allowed to rejoin the Army, which was eventually approved, and he served as AA and QMG of the 41st Division as it trained in England before going to the Continent. His description of the complexities of administering a Division in War is illuminating. To his disappointment, he was eventually deemed to be too old (at 52) to serve in France, so he was posted to Tidworth where he served as AAG of the Australian Division, training new recruits and caring for wounded Australians. He made many lasting friendships with the Aussies with whom he kept in touch throughout his life. On his return to the Prison Service, he filled increasingly responsible positions and dealt with a number of difficult and sensitive situations which required both toughness, tact and a sense of humour. He thoroughly enjoyed sport, riding, fishing, cricket, rugby football and hockey, during the last of which he received several blows to his face from the sticks! He was particularly proud of a cricket bat he was given as a young boy by the great Dr WG Grace! His devotion for his Family and especially his children’s sporting and academic achievements and travelling experiences is apparent in his diary and he included a detailed history of his branch of the Knox family. His diary ended as yet another war was looming