The Times/1930/Obituary/Henry Knollys

Colonel Sir Henry Knollys, K.C.V.O., late R.A., died at Bournemouth on March 1 in his 90th year.

A brother of the late Viscount Knollys, who was for many years Private Secretary successively to King Edward and to King George, and of the Hon. Charlotte Knollys, for many years the devoted friend and servant of Queen Alexandra, he was the third and last surviving son of General the Right Hon. Sir W. T. Knollys and grandson of General William Knollys, titular Earl of Banbury, who discontinued the use of the title in 1813, in consequence of a resolution in the House of Lords adverse to his claim. Henry Knollys was born on June 20, 1840, was educated at Westminster School, and joined the Royal Artillery from Woolwich in 1860. He was on the staff of General Sir James Scarlett and of General Sir Hope Grant, and was subsequently Brigade Major, R.A., Aldershot, and D.A.Q.M.G., Northern District. From 1889 to 1891 he commanded the R.A. in South Africa.

In 1896 he was appointed Private Secretary and Controller to the Princess Maud of Wales on her marriage to Prince Charles of Denmark, and was continued in that office when her Royal Highness became Queen of Norway. He retired in 1919. He was created M.V.O. in 1901, C.V.O. in 1905, and K.C.V.O. in 1906. He also held the Danish Order of the Dannebrog and the Norwegian Order of St. Olaf. Sir Henry Knollys was the biographer of his old chief, Sir Hope Grant, with whom he wrote "Incidents in the Sepoy War" and "Incidents in the China War." He was also the author of "From Sedan to Saarbruck," "Sketches of Life in Japan," and "English Life in China." From time to time Sir Henry Knollys contributed interesting letters to The Times, notably one to the discussion on the circumstances of the Prince Imperial's death. He related that he had seen the Prince's mount, a grey gelding about 15.3 hands high, then in the possession of Colonel Southey, who explained that the unusual height of the horse had prevented the Prince from mounting quickly enough. He was twice married, but leaves no issue.

The funeral service will be at Holy Trinity, Brompton, on Friday, at 2.30, and the interment will be at Highgate Cemetery.