Midshipman Arthur Macdonnell KNAPP RN
HMS Erin Royal Navy

Date of birth: 29th July 1900
Date of death: 23rd December 1980

Died aged 80
Unknown
Arthur Macdonnell Knapp was born at Ootacamund in India on the 29th of July 1900 the only son of Sir Arthur Rowland Knapp CBE CSI KCIE, a civil servant, and Lady Florence Annie (nee Moore) Knapp of 5 Albert Road, Regents Park in London. He was christened at Ootacamund on the 20th of August 1900.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until April 1914 where he was a member of the Cricket XI in 1913 and of the Football XI in 1911, 1912 and 1913 when he was Captain. The school magazine wrote the following of his 1911 football season: - "(Inside right) - Plucky and a hard trier, who should next season be very useful. Must correct a fatal hesitancy on receiving the ball, and avoid like the plague, the "square" of "backward" pass."

Of his 1912 football season they wrote: - "(Inside right) - A much improved forward, though still prone to the "square" pass; his scoring power would be at least doubled, were he to abandon the side of his foot, and shoot from the instep."

They wrote of his 1913 football season: - "(Centre forward) - A keen and energetic leader with some dribbling power; though a poor shot he is still a dangerous forward when efficiently supported, but he is apt to bore his wings near their touch line before giving his pass. As skipper too prone to abuse."

They wrote of his 1913 cricket season: - "Here is a real good trier - never gives in - hits the ball for all he is worth and bowls and fields with equal energy. At present he lies down full length when playing forward and has some other strange tricks of which time and experience will cure him."

On leaving the school the magazine wrote of him: - "Heartiest congratulations on obtaining what your whole heart was bent on. You have been with us for more than five years, and we can truthfully say of you that the school is the poorer for your loss. Keen in school and in the field, where you represented us in both XI's, we believe that your influence was wholly for good. The best of luck to you in your grand profession."

He entered the Royal Naval College, Osborne on the 15th of May 1914, after which he went on to the Royal Naval College Dartmouth from January 1916 to April 1917 where he passed out 3rd in Engineering and 9th overall. He was appointed as a Midshipman in the Royal Navy on the 1st of May 1917 and was posted to the battleship HMS Erin.

On the 8th of March 1920 he was posted to serve aboard the destroyer HMS Stormcloud and was promoted to Sub Lieutenant on the 15th of May 1920. He achieved a 1st Class Certificate in his exam for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 15th of June 1921. On the 7th of October 1921 he began a course of instruction at Cambridge University. From the 23rd of November 1922 he served aboard the light cruiser HMS Curlew on the West Indian Station and returned to England on the 11st of July 1924 on board the SS "Caronia". In 1925 he went on a signalling course and in 1926 was appointed to Broke for flotilla duties

He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on the 15th of June 1929 and he was married to Valentine Clara (nee Stringfellow) on the 6th of August 1932 at the Parish Church at Farnham in Surrey. They had three children, Ann J., born in 1933, Jeremy James Donnell, born in 1937 and Martin GA., born in 1944.

On the 31st of December 1935 he was promoted to Commander and from the 15th of August 1938 to the 8th of January 1941 he was in command of the sloop HMS Lowestoft, seeing action with her in the Far East, the Mediterranean and on escort duties in Home Waters. He left her on the 8th of January 1941 and was promoted to Captain on the 30th of June 1942. From the 17th of December 1943 to January 1945 he served as Deputy Director of Radio Equipment at the Admiralty. From the 19th of April 1945 to October 1945 he commanded the light cruiser HMS Diadem (84); he was also Chief Staff Officer and Flag Captain to the 10th Cruiser Squadron. In October 1945 he was an inspector of enemy ships in the disarmament process following the defeat of Germany in Denmark and Norway. From the 26th of August 1946 to July 1948 he was Director of the Radio Equipment Department at the Admiralty.

He was on the Staff of the Commander in Chief of the Nore from May 1949 to June 1951 and retired from the Navy on the 7th of July 1951.

He was living at Park Cottage Hillsides Road, Frencham, Farnham in Surrey when he died.
Went on to Royal Naval College

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