Teignmouth and Shaldon Men who received Gallantry Medals and Awards during WW1
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Major C C Gordon,
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Awarded the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal
Son of Richard William Knapman and Susan Ann Knapman (nee Hart).
Ernest Hart Knapman and his siblings Lily Lavinia Knapman 1874 William Edward Knapman 1875 Emily Mary Knapman 1883 Kate Louisa Knapman 1887 Elsie Ellen Knapman 1889 Ernest Hart Knapman 1891 In 1901, the Knapman family was living at 26, Teign Street, Teignmouth, Devon. Richard William Knapman was a dock labourer. Susan Ann Knapman was a laundress. William Edward Knapman was a mason. Kate Louisa Knapman was a dressmaker's apprentice.
Ernest Hart Knapman was a student at 19, Magdalen Road, Exeter, Devon in 1911. He graduated from St Loyes College, Exeter, and became a teacher at West Lawn School. He was also a great sportsman and photographer and in his later years, he was secretary of the Den Bowling Club.
Ernest was awarded the British and Victory medals in WW1.
Ernest was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on the 19th of March 1918.
The London Gazette 5th November 1918Ernest was acting Serjeant in the Devon Regiment and 2nd Lieutenant in the Indian Army.
Ernest married Lilian May Cooper in the second quarter of 1922.
Ernest and Lilian had two daughters Marjorie Kathleen and Doreen Elsie (Caunter) but Lilian died whilst carrying their third child.
In the 1939 register, Ernest now widowed is living at 5, Coombe Park Villas Coombe Vale, Teignmouth, Devon, and was a teacher of Elementary Science and an ARP warden. Also at home were, Elsie E Knapman, Ernest's sister, born 3rd of April 1889, Marjorie K Knapman born 24th of March 1923, and, Doreen E Caunter (nee Knapman) born 20th of October 1926.
He later married Kathleen Blanche Short who was a teacher at Brook Hill School.
Ernest died on the 16th of April 1961 at Hawkmoor Chest Hospital, Bovey Tracey, Devon.
Many thanks to David Caunter and Viv Wilson MBE who supplied a photograph and information about Ernest Hart Knapman and his family.
For his part in what could be described as a suicide mission in the French trenches in 1915, Lieutenant John Smyth (aged 21 at the time) was awarded the Victoria Cross (the highest award given for bravery in combat).
John and his volunteer group of ten Sikhs were ultimately able to deliver 96 bombs to within 20 yards of the German's position.
Distinguished
Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Force 
Air Force Medal
Meritorious Service 
Mentioned in Despatches (MID)