Lieutenant Colonel John Henry Knifton VD was born in London, England in 1853 in England son of William Knifton and Susanah Pegg.

Knifton enlisted as a rifleman in The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in 1869 and was commissioned in 1886 as a 2nd Lieutenant. After being promoted to Captain and commanding No. 3 Company, he transferred to the 36th “Peel” Regiment in 1894

In 1903 he was appointed to command the newly formed 23rd Battalion [1] based in Parry Sound. From 1913 to 1920 he commanded the 14th Infantry Brigade.

On 20 Jun 1877, he married Kate Louisa May and they had one son, Herbert Samuel.

He died 8 Sep 1924 and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Parry Sound, Upper Section, Block D.

Service Record:

• 1869 Nov – Enlisted as a Private with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.
• 1870 – Private QOR – Awarded General Service Medal – Fenian Raids (1870) – called out for duty 1 May to 31 Oct 1870 at Toronto Drill Shed
• By 1874 – Sergeant
• By 1877 – Colour Sergeant
• 1886 19 Mar – Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant
• 1886 22 Oct – Promoted Lieutenant
• 1891 16 Oct – Promoted Captain
• 1893 Pay Sheet – Captain of No 3 Company, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
• 1894 June – Date transferred to 36th Peel Regiment
• By 1897 – Captain Commanding No. 3 Company Cooksville
• 1898 – Completes Special Infantry Course. With 36th Regiment.
• By 1901 – Brevet Major with 36th Regiment
• 1901 – Awarded Certificate for Equitation
• 1902 – Captain – 36th Regiment – Awarded Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers Decoration – V.D.
• 1903 1 Sep – Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 23rd Regiment [1] likely until 1909 at least.
• By 1912 – While living in Parry Sound applied for a Land Bounty grant for the 1870 Fenian Raid but does not appear to have qualified.
• 1912 – Land Bounty application also indicates he was about to take command of the 10th Infantry Brigade.
• 1913 20 Sep – Appointed Commanding Officer (as LCol) of 14th Infantry Brigade, Toronto
• 1920 12 Jun – Retired as CO of 14th Infantry Brigade

[1] The Northern Pioneers originated in Parry Sound, Ontario on 1 September 1903, when the ’23rd Regiment “The Northern Fusiliers”‘ was authorized to be formed.Footnote11 It was redesignated: ’23rd Regiment “The Northern Pioneers”‘ on 1 January 1904