Edward Pitt KNIBBS, son of James KNIBBS and Sophia OAKLEY , was born 19 August 1883 in Dallington, Northamptonshire, England. He married Bertha PAGE October December, 1911 in Brixworth District, Northamptonshire, England. He died 10 September 1944 in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England. Bertha PAGE was born 01 January 1886 in Spratton, Northamptonshire, England. She died January March, 1968 in Northampton District, Northamptonshire, England.


Children of Edward Pitt KNIBBS and Bertha PAGE are:
1. Alfred Leslie KNIBBS, b. April June, 1912
2. Bertha Choice KNIBBS, b. 15 July 1913 See John R O TAIT & Bertha Choice KNIBBS
3. Doris C KNIBBS, b. January March, 1916
4. Edward Percy KNIBBS, b. 25 May 1917 See Edward Percy KNIBBS & Florence M JAMES
5. Doris M KNIBBS, b. July September, 1920 See Leslie A STEVENS & Doris M KNIBBS
6. Nancie Vera KNIBBS, b. 02 February 1926 See Eric Albert FARR-VOLLER & Nancie Vera KNIBBS

Notes for Edward Pitt KNIBBS:

Also known as: Ted


See Edward's Military Attestation Paper from 1904.


Edward enlisted in the Northamptonshire Regiment on 28 June, 1904, aged 19 years and 10 months. Hew as identified as 5'5" tall, 122 lbs., fresh complexion, with brown hair and brown eyes.

He was discharged as medically unfit on 21 June 1909.

His father was identifed as James of Selsey Forest, Northamptonshire.
His mother is listed on his records as Sophia of the same address.
His brother listed as William of Earls Barton, Northamptonshire.
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From the Northampton Chronicle and Echo - 03 April 1917:
WEDDING.
The wedding took place at St. Paul's Church on Saturday of Private Frank Page, A.S.C., who is home on sick leave from the front, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Page. of Spratton, and Miss Nellie Anderson, the daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. Anderson, of 84, Semilaw-road. Northampton. Mr. Edward Knibbs. of Hardingstone (brother-in-law of the bride- groom), was best man, and there were four bridesmaids. Mr. Tom Langley. of Atherstone, uncle. gave the bride away.

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We see Edward in 1939 lioving at 68 Freehold Street, Northampton C.B., Northamptonshire:
Edward Pitt Knibb (S) 19 Aug 1883 Shoehand Clicker Married
Bertha Knibb(S) 01 Jan 1885 Unpaid Domestic Duties Married
Bertha Tait Knibb(S) 15 Jul 1913 Clerk In Tannery -
Percy E Knibb (S) 25 May 1917 Plasterer (Heavy Worker) Single
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Knibbs Edward Pitt of 68 Freehold-street Northampton died 10 September 1944 at The General Hospital Northampton Administration Lladudno 21 October to Bertha Knibbs widow. Effects £754 5s.

Sources for Edward Pitt KNIBBS:

  1. 1901 British Census,
  2. Ancestry.com, England & Wales, Birth Index: 1837-1983 gave middle name of Pitt 
  3. Military Attestation Paper,
  4. GRO England & Wales, from findmypast.com 
  5. Ancestry.com. - England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966,
  6. 1911 British Census,
  7. Chelsea Pensioners' Service Records 1760-1913,
  8. Ancestry.co.uk - Northamptonshire, England, Baptisms, 1813-1912,

Notes for Bertha PAGE:

In 1891, Bertha was living at 36 Middle Street, Brixworth Northamptonshire
Sarah Page Wife Mar 30 Northamptonshire Spratton
Alfred Page Son 9 Scholar Northamptonshire Spratton
Bertha Page Daur 5 Scholar Northamptonshire Spratton
Samuel Page Son 1 Northamptonshire Spratton
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In 1901, Bertha was living at 1 Arthur Terrace, Kingsthorpe Road, Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire:
Frances Graddock Head UnM 37 Greengrocer Shopkeeper Northants Kingsthorpe
George Graddock Brother UnM 41 Greengrocer Shopkeeper Northants Kingsthorpe
Walter Graddock Brother UnM 34 Market Gardener Northants Kingsthorpe
Bertha Page Serv UnM 15 Housemaid Domestic Northants Spratton
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In 1911, we see Bertha living in the St Giles District of Northampton, working in the household of a Thomas Turner:
Thomas George Turner Head Mar 51Northampton
Edith E M Turner Wife Mar 51Northampton
George Colin Turner Son 23 Northampton
Mary E Turner Daur22 Northampton
Hilda E Turner Daur 20 Northampton
Bertha Page Servant 25 Spratton Northamptonshire
Ada Garlick Cook 23 Milton Northamptonshire
Busie Perkins Servant 23 Olney Northamptonshire
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Bertha married Edward Knibbs in 1911.
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The following relates to the death of Bertha's brother, Arthur Wallter Page who died from wounds received in battle:
From the Northampton Chronicle and Echo - 31 July 1915:
THE LATE PRIVATE A. W. PAGE. Sad and impressive were the scenes when the remains of Private Arthur Walter Page were quietly deposited in Spratton Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.
The deceased, who enlisted in the 5th Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment. was very badly wounded in action some few weeks since. and was sent to Evington Hospital. Leicester, where he died on July 24. The military authorities had the body forwarded to Spratton Station on the following Monday. and was conveyed to the home of his parents by Farrier Major Green, of the Northamptonshire Yeomanry, who is spending a short holiday from the front.
A number of wounded soldiers from the Depot at Northampton and Cottesbrooke Hall were in attendance, as well as several of deceased's old schoolmates (also in uniform). The service was conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. U. Raw). Hymn 225 (A. and M.) was feelingly sung and appropriate funeral music played by the organist
The body was taken to the church on a wheeled bier, and the coffin draped with the Union Jack. Three volleys were fired, after which the bugler sounded the "Last' Post." Not for many years had such a large congregation assembled at a funeral, numerous visitors being present from all the adjacent villages.
The mourners included Mr. and Mrs. Page (father and mother), Mr. S. Page and Mr. F. Page (brothers), Mrs. Knibbs and Miss Daisy Page (sisters), Mrs. Norman and Mrs. Reeve (aunts). Mr. Knibbs (brother-in-law). Miss E. Norman (cousin). Miss Anderson (friend), and Mr. Quinn (Cottesbrooke Hall Gardens).
The many beautiful wreaths included the tollowing:—From his father, mother, Sam and Daisy; Bertha, Ted, and little Choyce; Frank and Nellie; Aunt Lydia and family; "To a good servant and a brave soldier." from Captain and Mrs. Brinaey, Cottesbrooke Hall; Mr. and Mrs. O. Dunkley and Edith; Mrs. Anderson and family; Mrs. Hodge and family; Mrs. Balderson and family: Aunt Polly and Fanny; Mr. and Mrs. Mascerd; and Mr. l and Mrs. Kirby and family.


Note: Arthur was wounded in the back and chest at Ypres and repatriated to a hospital in Leicester but died of his wounds on 24 July 1915. He was buried in the old cemetery, Brixworth Road, Spratton with full military honours. His parents were later buried in the same place. He is also commemorated on the War Memorial in Spratton churchyard.
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The following also refers to Bertha's brother Arthur Walter:
From the Spratton Parish Magazine, 1917:
IN MEMORIAM.
Walter Hayter and Walter Page.
During the last month two of our brave Spratton soldiers have been called upon to make the great sacrifice and to lay down their lives for their King and Country. Walter Hayter was killed in action, and Walter Page died in Hospital at Lieicester of wounds received in action. The former was buried by his comrades in France, and the latter was laid to rest with full military honours in our own cemetery, after an impressive service in Church.
To have been cut off just as they were entering upon their manhood is indeed a matter of deep regret, but these two young men nobly answered their country's call and proved themselves faithful unto death. For this we shall always hold them in high honour and reverence their memories.
With their sorrow-stricken parents we express our deepest sympathy and pray that the knowledge of how their sons died, and in what a noble cause, will always be a real comfort to them.

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Our gratitude goes to the members and volunteers at Find A Grave web site for recording the details, in memory of Arthur.
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Bertha had two other brothers that I've been made aware of via the Spratton Local History web site.

Samuel (Sam) who worked as both baker and gardener before he joined the Northamptonshire Regiment on 10 January 1916. He was mobilised on 14 February and posted to France on 31May 1916. On 2 August 1916 he was gassed and repatriated to hospital. On 17 August he was discharged as no longer physically fit and was issued with a Silver War Badge. This was to wear at home to show he had been wounded in the war. He was also awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Frank joined the Northamptonshire Regiment as a Reserve on 15 October 1910 and, following the outbreak of war in 1914, served with the regiment in France. He was wounded and whilst home on sick leave he married Nellie Anderson of 84 Semilong Road, Northampton. He returned to France in April 1918 but was wounded again. He was repatriated and in September 1918 was in hospital in Glasgow.

Sources for Bertha PAGE:

  1. FreeBMD,
  2. 1891 British Census,
  3. GRO England & Wales, from findmypast.com 
  4. 1901 British Census,
  5. 1911 British Census,

Notes for Alfred Leslie KNIBBS:

Alfred died aged just 2 years.
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From the Northampton Mercury - 19 March 1915:
Hardingstone Child's Death
A CURIOUS ACCIDENT At the Northampton General Hospital, on Wednesday, Mr. A. J. Darnell (the Borough Coroner) conducted inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Leslie Knibbs, the two year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E, Knibbs, of Hardingstone, which occurred, result of burns, at the General on March 15. Bertha Knibbs, mother of the child, said that when she returned home shortly after four o’clock on Sunday afternoon she found the hearth untidy, and in sweeping it up she removed the fireguard. The kettle was beside the fireplace at the time, and when her back was turned the child went to the kettle and blew down the spout. He commenced to cry, and she took him to neighbour, and afterwards to Dr Thompson. He was subsequently taken to the Northampton General Hospital, suffering from burns in the throat. Margaret Edith Elliott Smith, House Surgeon at the Hospital, stated that the injuries were compatible with the circumstances of the accident as described. The child was suffering from severe burns to the throat, and though relieved by an operation, passed away at about six o’clock on Monday evening. Death was due to bronchial pneumonia caused by burns. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and endorsed an expression of sympathy voiced by the Coroner.

Sources for Alfred Leslie KNIBBS:

  1. FreeBMD,
  2. GRO England & Wales,

Notes for Doris C KNIBBS:

I've never found any referecnnce to Doris having died, but her parents had another daughter named Doris 4 years after she was born, so I'm presuming this Doris died in infancy.

Sources for Doris C KNIBBS:

  1. FreeBMD,