James Bell Knight (3 January 1918 – 11 October 1943) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and Carlton in the VFL.
Family James Bell Knight, the son of Archie Cecil Clarence Knight (1896–1965), and Margaret May Knight (1892–1960), née Paterson, was born on 3 January 1918.
Football Geelong Knight was Geelong's best and fairest player in 1941.
Carlton He joined Carlton in 1942 after Geelong withdrew from the competition due to the war and spent two seasons with the club.Sportsmen's Honor Roll, The Weekly Times, (Wednesday, 20 October 1943), p. 20.
Military service While playing at Carlton he received military training; and, in 1943, he joined the RAAF, and served in Papua New Guinea, fighting against the Japanese.
He was killed on 11 October 1943 when the bombs aboard his Douglas Boston bomber (A28-26) exploded after the aircraft crashed during take-off from Goodenough Island in Papua New Guinea. The other two crew members survived the accident.Deaths: On Active Service, The Argus, (Friday, 15 October 1943), p. 2.Australian Roll of Honor, The Age, (Tuesday, 26 October 1943), p. 4; R.A.A. F. Casualties: Australia and Australian Territories: Killed Aircraft Accident, The Argus, (Monday, 1 November 1943), p. 5.De Bolfo, Tony, "The Great Fallen: Jim Knight", carltonfc.com, 21 April 2015.
Remembered The runner up in the Geelong Best and Fairest now wins the Jim Knight Memorial Trophy.
See also List of Victorian Football League players who died on active service
Footnotes
References World War Two Nominal Roll: Flying Officer James Bell Knight (19067). Roll of Honour: Flying Officer James Bell Knight (19067), Australian War Memorial.
External links
Blueseum profile RAAF Inter-services premiership team 1942, Boyles Football photos. 1941 VFL Round Two: Geelong v St Kilda – First Game at Kardinia Park, Boyles Football photos.