A fascinating man who fled Germany as a child before enlisting in the British Army turns 100 next week.
Jack Knight, who now lives in Cedars Village, Chorleywood, will celebrate his birthday with a family lunch in Denham on Friday, June 5, and another in Flaunden the next day.
Born Hans Verner Kaufman in Dusseldorf, his father sent him to England at around nine years old as he feared the direction Germany was taking given their Jewish background.
After learning basic English at a convent, he was evacuated to the southwest and then became a boarder at Aldenham School, Hertfordshire.
Jack enlisted in the war once old enough and served in Italy and Austria before being given a role taking notes for prisoners set to be tried for war crimes due to his fluent German and education.
He became an importer/exporter of dried food produce in London after the war and met his wife Margaret on a rambling holiday in Switzerland.
His return to Hertfordshire came well into retirement, as he moved to Cedars Village in 2015.
Daughter Carol-Ann Bonafont described her father as a “chatterbox” who has “fantastic stories to tell and loves talking history”.
Despite approaching his 100th birthday, his mind is still very sharp and he maintains a keen interest in politics and global events.
He has “hundreds” of books on the war and deep knowledge of the broader period, alongside his first-hand experience.
“He lives a fairly quiet life but loves it when I visit, as I only live a couple of miles from him – so I’m always sort of popping in,” Carol-Ann, 69, added.
“He loves living where he is at Cedars.”
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Each Sunday he heads out from his bungalow for a weekly lunch, where he meets with a friend and they “put the world to rights… or try to”, his daughter explained.
Jack apparently did not initially appear too bothered by turning 100, but excitement seems to have built as the day approaches and he is now “looking forward to it”.
He will spend the day with Carol-Ann, her partner Tony, his son John, and John’s wife Jan.
Aldenham School will apparently be sending a card and a present along for the day.
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