Alfred Robert Knight

Working in Burma

My father, Leslie Knight, was reluctant to say anything about his father Alfred but one of the few things he did say was that he was ill-advised to go to Burma in 1919 before securing a permanent staff position with a British company. As a result his employment was a succession of temporary appointments in trades which were sometimes of a seasonal nature. He was therefore paid well but a frequent candidate for redundancy and the periods of unemployment gave his wife Gladys a hard time. This appeared to be the main source of the rather unenthusiastic response to the questioning of my father.
The company, Jamal Brothers & Co. Ltd. was headed by Sir Abdul Karim Jamal.
Malcolm Knight
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BULLOCH BROS. & CO. LIMD
LONDON, AKYAB, BASSEIN
CHITTAGONG, MAULMAIN, TAVOY & MERGUI

Bassein 22nd September 1920

This is to certify that Mr. A.R. Knight was engaged by us for the 1920 Milling season and was employed in our Padouk Mill, Bassein, from February to September 1920. During that time his work was entirely satisfactory and he showed himself a competent and experienced engineer.

We are, however, having to dispense with his services on completion of milling and consequent reduction of our Engineering Staff.

His records include war service and we trust he will be successful in obtaining good employment elsewhere.

FOR BULLOCH BROS & CO LIMITED

JAMAL BROTHERS & COMPANY, LIMITED

Rangoon 17th Oct 1920

CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT

Mr. A. R. Knight
c/o Mr. Mitchell
Royal Hotel
Rangoon.

Sir,

With reference to our interview this afternoon in the Seep-in-Zeik Wood Distillation factory. You are hereby engaged as Engineer-in-Charge under Mr. Wigny to carry on the construction work of the factory until December 1st 1920.

The terms of your engagement are R400 (Four hundred Rupees per month), Free Bungalow and one servant (Pani Wallah). You will live at Seep-in-Zeik and carry out any orders required to you by Mr. C.R. Wigney. This engagement terminates on 1st December 1920.

Jamal Brothers & Co. Ltd.

Rangoon 10th November 1920

Mr. Knight,
Engineer, Messrs Jamal Brothers & Co. Ltd.

PEGU

Dear Sir,

With reference to our conversation of yesterday’s date re the Artisian well, when the well sinkers arrive at the factory start them on to sink the first well in the corner of the water settling tanks near the retorts.

Yours faithfully,
C.R. Wigney

Jamal Brothers & Co. Ltd.

Rangoon 12th November 1920

Mr. Knight,
Engineer, Messrs Jamal Brothers & Co. Ltd.

PEGU

Dear Sir,

Referring to our conversation of yesterday re your transfer from Seipinzik Factory to Mandalay we desire you to make arrangements to proceed to Mandalay next Tuesday the 16th November 1920. You will there take over charge of the erection of Messrs. Jamal Brothers’ two Sugar Factories situated near Mandalay.

You will receive salary at the rate of Rs. 400/- per month, a free bungalow, pani wallah and sweeper. Your engagement is to last until November 16th 1921; one month’s notice on either side will terminate the agreement.

You will report to Messrs. Jamal Brothers’ office at Mandalay as soon as you arrive there and will receive further instructions from there. I shall be glad if you will write per return your acceptance of the above mentioned position and terms and make any further remarks you desire. before leaving Seipinzik factory you will hand over the wood Distillation work to Mr. Pereira and explain the position of the work fully to him.

Yours faithfully,
C.R. Wigney

POSTS TELEGRAPHS

MANDALAY CIVIL LINES
30 DEC 1920

Rangoon
Mr Knight
c/o Jamal, Mandalay

You come Rangoon hand over all plans and your charge to manager.

Jamal

ABDUL KARIM JAMAL

Salween House
Civil Line

Mandalay 1st January 1921

Mr. Knight,
Lamaing Factory

Dear Sir,

We are in receipt of your letter of date and shall be pleased to send you Rs.300/- you require tomorrow morning and your account will duly be submitted to the Rangoon office for settlement.

Yours faithfully,
For Sir Abdool Karim Jamal

N.B. A copy of your A/c is herewith enclosed.

An agreement made the 11th day of January 1921 Between Messrs Jamal Brothers & Co. Ltd of 6 Merchant Street, Rangoon (Hereinafter called the employer) of one part and .................... (Hereinafter called the employee) of the other part.
WHEREAS the Employer has agreed to employ the Employee, and the Employee has agreed to serve the employer. As an Engineer. Now it hereby witnesseth as follows:-

1. The Employee shall serve the Employer at such place or places in Burma to which he may be sent by the Employer.
2. The Employee shall devote the whole of his time and attention to the business of the Employer and shall not work directly or indirectly for or in the interests of any other person, form or company whatsoever.
3. The Employee shall faithfully keep secrets of the Employer and he shall not divulge the same either during the continuance of this agreement or after the termination thereof and in particular he shall not disclose any information whatsoever regarding any secret process of manufacture used by the Employer with which he shall at any time become acquainted or use the same in competition with or to the detriment of the Employer.
4. This agreement shall be for a term of 1 year from the date hereof. The Employee shall obey the orders of the Employer’s Representative during the term of agreement. this agreement may be terminated by either party giving a month’s notice in writing to the other.
5. In consideration of the Employee carrying out the terms of this agreement, the Employer shall pay him 400/- Rps. Four hundred per month with free quarters.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have hereunto set their hands the day, the month, and year first above written. All previous agreements have been cancelled.
In the presence of. A.R.Knight, for Jamal Brothers & Co. Ltd.

Memorandum

From	To
Engr. Lieut. Commander A.H. Baker, O.B.E. R.I.M.	A.R.Knight
Secretary	c/o Messrs. Jamal Bros & Co. Ltd.
Burma Boiler Commission.	No. 10 Rice Mill Kanoungto, Rangoon

Dated Rangoon. the 5th March 1921

With reference to his letter of the 2nd instant, Mr. A.R. Knight is requested to call at this office any day (Saturday and Sunday excepted) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

A. Surl
Eng. Lieut. Commander, R.I.M.
Secretary
Burma Boiler Commission.

REFERENCE SHEET

ADMIRALTY
CIVIL ENGINEER IN CHIEF DEPT
OFFICER IN CHARGE
OF WORKS
RANGOON
70 Phayre St. Rangoon
The 15th May 1923

Dear Sir,
With reference to your recent call at this Office I regret to inform you that as then stated Admiralty Regulations do not permit me to give an open “ testimonial ”, but I am at liberty to reply to specific enquiries from prospective employers that you may refer to me, and to state that you were appointed in July 1922 to the post of Inspector of Rivetting on the Admiralty Oil Fuel tanks at Saikkyi and that you left the works on the 10th May 1923 at your own request.

Yours faithfully,
J. Young
Officer in Charge of Works

THE BURMAH OIL COMPANY, LIMITED
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Name	A.R.KNIGHT V.2
Country	ENGLAND SCOTLAND
Occupation	ASST. ENGINEER (29.1.24/27.8.26)
Period of Service	2 YEARS 6 MONTHS 28 DAYS
Character	GOOD
Reason for leaving	SERVICE NOT REQUIRED
Ability	GOOD
Salary at date : Rupees	TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONLY PER MONTH (F.R.)

Works Manager

SYRIAM Works
Refinery
31st August 1926

	We have engaged Mr. A.R.Knight as an engineer as from 15th December 1926. He undertakes to work at any of our Rice Mills in Burma to which he may be sent and in return we undertake to pay him at the rate of Rupees Four hundred (Rs 400/-) per mensem. This agreement holds good for the period 16th December until 30th June when it expires. During the period above mentioned Mr. A.R.Knight binds himself to give us his whole services and to obey those put in authority over him. Rangoon, 14th December 1926. WITNESS For ELLERMAN ARRACAN RICE & TRADING CO. LTD. General Manager

	ELLERMAN’S ARRACAN RICE & TRADING Co Ltd Kanoungtee Hill Rangoon 27th April 1927 Dear Sir, Mr. A. R. Knight has been second engineer at this mill during the past four and a half months and has asked me for this chit to enable him to obtain another billet, as we are, as usual, reducing staff for the off-season. I understand he was promised employment earlier in the year but not having terminated his agreement with us was unable to take up the work. It is through no fault of his own that he leaves us but for the unfortunate custom of the trade at this season of the year, is to blame. Yours faithfully, For ELLERMAN’S ARRACAN RICE & TRADING Co. LTD Hubert Marsh

	ELLERMAN’S ARRACAN RICE & TRADING Co Ltd Rangoon 15th June 1927 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Mr. A.R.Knight has been employed at our Kanoungtee Mill for the past seven months as second engineer during which time his work has been satisfactory. He leaves us owing to reduction of staff. For ELLERMAN’S ARRACAN RICE & TRADING Co. LTD General Manager

Picture of an Irrawaddy Steamboat.	THE IRRAWADDY FLOTILLA COMPANY LIMITED (INCORPORATED IN SCOTLAND) Post Office Box No. 129 Rangoon 29th August 1929 Mr. A. R. Knight Staff Engineer C/o The Fleet engineer, Irrawaddy Flotilla Co., Ltd., RANGOON Dear Sir, With Reference to your application of 27th instant, I have pleasure in sanctioning an increase in your pay from Rs. 150/- to Rs. 175/- as from 29th August 1929. Yours faithfully, A. McGrath for Manager

	STEEL BROTHERS & CO. LTD RANGOON LONDON MOULMEIN BASSEIN AKYAB BANGKOK Lower Mill Poozoondoung 9th JUNE 1930. Mr. A.R. Knight has served as Assistant Engineer at our Bassein Rice Mill from January to May 1930. During that time Mr. Knight has given every satisfaction, paying close attention to his work, and being obliging and strictly sober. I regret having to dispense with his services owing to night work being finished, and can recommend him to anyone requiring his services. For Steel Brothers and Company Ltd. A. Scott Superintending Engineer

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