Farrier Major 658 Joseph Knight 1st Dragoon Guards

How many children??

"MUTINY VETERAN AT DEAL. Celebrates 103rd Birthday.  Mr. Joseph Knight. of 5. Railway Terrace, Deal though on Friday, 24th December attains his 103rd birthday (according to his relatives statement)  is still hale and hearty, and  able to do light work in the garden. He certainly does not look years, and according to a statement  made to a representative just berfore we went to Press he considers he is only 88 years of age and by no means done with yet.
But he has made this statment for some years past when having his pension papers signed and there can be no doubt that he is much older than this and the calculation of his eldest son. based on statements by his mother in early days places his age at 103

Mr. Joseph Knight was born on the Kingsly Estate Maidstone. and on the 1st January 1856 he joined the 9th Lancers as an assistant farrier, with that corps throughout the Indian Mutiny. Subsequently transferring to the Kings Dragoon Guards as Farrier he .served in the  in the Zulus War and the first Boer War. He holds medals for the two former campaigns. The venerable warrior attributes his longevity  to a regular life. He goes to bed early, and is an early riser, 3 a.m. being his usual hour for getting up.
He has been twice married. having nine children by his first wife, and ten by the second. whom he married when she was 18 years of age. His youngest daughter. Edith. who is only 14, acts as his house keeper. and takes the greatest care of her veteran father. '
When seen by our  representatives on Wednesday morning. the old soldier, who that morning had got op at 3 o'clock was just setting of for the town, with a small hand barrow  to make a few purchases for Christmas. Mr Knight is practically a teetotaller and has now given up smoking. Asked if he intended to vote at the election, the old man said "Yes and Astor' s my man"

Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury - Saturday 25 December 1920

Hi All,
Interesting Guy but age is wrong, as stated he attested in the 9th Lancers 3 jan 1856 aged 18 and 5 months therefore born circa 1838/39, he was discharged in 1861, re-enlisted in the 1st KDGds on 30 april 1866 as Farrier, he was promoted to Farrier Major 3 times once demoted twice at his own request 6 years were added to his service for the time spent in the 9th Lancers and 4th European Light Cavalry, finally discharged after 23 yrs service. He Probably died jan/march 1922 in Eastry[Deal] District.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse

Nice work Rai.
Thought the age was a bit suspicious as looking at the age of his 14 year old daughter/house keeper it would mean he fathered her when he was 89!!!