Robert Arthur KNAPPETT

Robert Arthur KNAPPETT Update Details

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KNAPPETT, Robert Arthur

Service Numbers:	329185, 400146
Enlisted:	14 December 1938
Last Rank:	Sergeant
Last Unit:	No. 238 Squadron (RAF)
Born:	Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia, 15 July 1920
Home Town:	Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria
Schooling:	Ivanhoe Grammar School, Victoria, Australia
Occupation:	Assistant chemist
Died:	Flying Battle, Tobruk, 26 November 1941, aged 21 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God" Alamein Memorial, El Alamein War Cemetery, El Alamein, Marsa Matruh, Egypt
Memorials:	Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Narromine Aviation Museum Memorial Wall

World War 2 Service

14 Dec 1938:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), 329185, 14th Infantry Battalion
3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Sergeant, 400146
10 Apr 1940:	Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), 329185, 14th Infantry Battalion
23 Jun 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 400146
23 Jun 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 400146
26 Nov 1941:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 400146, No. 238 Squadron (RAF)

Help us honour Robert Arthur Knappett's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by William Archer-Blackwood

Robert was born on 15 July 1920, the son of Arthur and Nellie nee Powell Knappett. His only brother was Kenneth Mitchell Knappett.

Both he and Ken attended Ivanhoe Grammar School and Robert enlisted in the Militia Forces on 14 December 1938, before being discharged and joining the Royal Australian Air Force on 10 April 1940. He was promoted to Sergeant on 4 September 1939.

During the Siege of Tobruk on 26 November 1941, Robert's Hurricane plane were among ten others that were jumped by seven ME 109's and Robert did not return to base. In spite of numerous inquiries by his brother Ken, Robert's body was never found.

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