George Knox
1838 -1894
1838 -1894
Major-General George Williams Knox was born in Leamington Spa on January 13, 1838, the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow Williams Knox, M.P. for Marlow. Nicknamed ‘Curly’, he was educated by a private tutor in Switzerland.
Major-General George Williams Knox was born in Leamington Spa on January 13, 1838, the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow Williams Knox, M.P. for Marlow. Nicknamed ‘Curly’, he was educated by a private tutor in Switzerland.
He enlisted in the Scots Guards in January 1855 and in August of that year joined his regiment in the Crimea. It was while there that he had first – and what very nearly proved to be his last – ride in a steeplechase, one organised by the British Army. His mount fell heavily and ‘Curly’ was rendered unconscious for eleven days. Indeed, his death was actually reported to his father back home in England.
He enlisted in the Scots Guards in January 1855 and in August of that year joined his regiment in the Crimea. It was while there that he had first – and what very nearly proved to be his last – ride in a steeplechase, one organised by the British Army. His mount fell heavily and ‘Curly’ was rendered unconscious for eleven days. Indeed, his death was actually reported to his father back home in England.
However, to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of his death were greatly exaggerated. After three months of being confined to bed, he returned to duty. To show he had not lost his nerve, he rode in another steeplechase a few months later, only to suffer another heavy fall.
However, to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of his death were greatly exaggerated. After three months of being confined to bed, he returned to duty. To show he had not lost his nerve, he rode in another steeplechase a few months later, only to suffer another heavy fall.
Having returned to Britain, his race-riding luck began to take a turn for the better. In February 1864 he won the inaugural running of the Guards Cup at Harrow on a horse named Cheviot. In the same year he had his first ride in the Grand Military Gold Cup, finishing unplaced on a horse bearing the unappealing name Useless Brute.
Having returned to Britain, his race-riding luck began to take a turn for the better. In February 1864 he won the inaugural running of the Guards Cup at Harrow on a horse named Cheviot. In the same year he had his first ride in the Grand Military Gold Cup, finishing unplaced on a horse bearing the unappealing name Useless Brute.
Two years later, in 1866, he won the Grand Military Gold Cup for the first time aboard Ironside, whom he also owned. He finished second the following year on Tiger, then won it again in 1868 on King Arthur, owned by Captain Brabazon, beating Captain Harford on Northern Light by a length. He won his third Grand Military Gold Cup in 1870 on Knockany, owned by Lord Charles Ker, with Captain Harford again running him close on Tinderbox.
Two years later, in 1866, he won the Grand Military Gold Cup for the first time aboard Ironside, whom he also owned. He finished second the following year on Tiger, then won it again in 1868 on King Arthur, owned by Captain Brabazon, beating Captain Harford on Northern Light by a length. He won his third Grand Military Gold Cup in 1870 on Knockany, owned by Lord Charles Ker, with Captain Harford again running him close on Tinderbox.
He twice finished in the frame in the Grand National on ‘Cherry’ Angell’s chaser Alcibiade, placing third to The Lamb in 1868 and fourth behind The Colonel in 1869. Alcibiade had won the Grand National in 1865 when ridden by Captain Henry Coventry. The aforementioned Captain Harford rode him in 1870, completing the course last of the eight finishers.
He twice finished in the frame in the Grand National on ‘Cherry’ Angell’s chaser Alcibiade, placing third to The Lamb in 1868 and fourth behind The Colonel in 1869. Alcibiade had won the Grand National in 1865 when ridden by Captain Henry Coventry. The aforementioned Captain Harford rode him in 1870, completing the course last of the eight finishers.
In November 1882 ‘Curly’ was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) and married Lady Sybil Lowther, a sister of the Earl of Lonsdale. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in May 1890.
In November 1882 ‘Curly’ was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) and married Lady Sybil Lowther, a sister of the Earl of Lonsdale. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in May 1890.
George ‘Curly’ Knox died in Middlesex on March 6, 1894, aged 56, leaving £1,642.
George ‘Curly’ Knox died in Middlesex on March 6, 1894, aged 56, leaving £1,642.