Charles Kingscote Knuckey

Charles Kingscote Knuckey's father was John Randall Knuckey, Telegraph Line Surveyor. He died when Charles was only 18 months old. Charles' mother struggled to support the family, mainly by taking in boarders. The family moved house several times in Charles' youth but he has particularly vivid memories of living on bustling West Terrace. Charles left the Currie Street School as soon as he turned 14. During the next six years he had a variety of clerical and labouring jobs, then in 1908 began his career as a commercial traveller. By the time he enlisted in 1914 he had been the country traveller for the SA Paper Bag & Co for two years. Charles served with the Australian Medical Corps in Egypt, Gallipoli, England and France. On his return Mr Knuckey continued to travel. In 1921 he also went into business, first as Crase, Knuckey & Co Ltd, wholesale hardware merchants, and then in 1926 as Knuckey Rubber Co, tyre seller and repairer.