Date of birth:

July 8th, 1916 (Dannevirke/North Island, New Zealand)

Service number:

37408

Nationality:

New Zealander

Marcus Knight joined RAF 1935; Knight had joined the Royal Air Force after working his way to England as a ship’s writer and during the early part of the war had done valuable work as an instructor. Towards the end of 1940 he went to No. 257 Hurricane Squadron, and subsequently flew as flight commander with a Czech unit before being posted to the New Zealand squadron.
He commanded No. 485 (NZ) Sqdn, 1941; Operations Staff, HQ NWAAF, 1943; Planning Staff, HQ MAAF, 1944; commanded RAF Stations, Ismailia and Ramat David, 1945.

Promotions:
Flying Officer
Acting Flight Lieutenant
3 November, 1939: rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant relinquished
Flight Lieutenant
11March, 1941: Temporary Squadron Leader
1 September, 1942: Squadron Leader (war sub)
1 June, 1942: Temporary Wing Commander
3 July, 1944: Wing Commander (war sub)
1 September, 1945: appointment to commission as Squdron Leader (permanent)
1 July, 1946: Wing Commander
1 July, 1954: Group Captain

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 485 (RNZAF) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

October 17th, 1941

Citation:
"This officer has commanded the squadron since its formation. He has participated in 43 operational sorties over enemy territory as well as in a number of convoy patrols. In June, 1941, whilst engaged on a convoy patrol, Squadron Leader Knight destroyed a Junkers 88. He has led the squadron with great skill and courage throughout."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Awarded on:

August 20th, 1948

• - Page 1317 | Issue 34805, 5 March 1940 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 1450 | Issue 35102, 11 March 1941 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Page 6034 | Supplement 35312, 14 October 1941 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - New Zealand Electronic Text Collection