Thomas Frederick KNIBBS, son of James KNIBBS and Matilda WILKINS , was born 01 June 1885 in Old Windsor, Berkshire, England. He married Mabel NAYLER 01 April 1907 in Portsea, Hampshire, England. He died April June, 1953 in Windsor District, Berkshire, England. Mabel NAYLER was born July September, 1884 in Portsea, Hampshire, England. She died 19 June 1926 in Portsmouth District, Hampshire, England.


Children of Thomas Frederick KNIBBS and Mabel NAYLER are:
1. Lily Matilda KNIBBS, b. 02 August 1911 See Ivor NICHOLLS & Lily Matilda KNIBBS
2. Frederick Thomas KNIBBS, b. 26 December 1907 See Frederick Thomas KNIBBS & Ada Emily EWER
3. Mabel Lily KNIBBS, b. April June, 1926 See Harold MALINS & Mabel Lily KNIBBS

Marriage Notes for Thomas Frederick KNIBBS\Mabel NAYLER:


SeeThomas and Mabel's Marriage Certificate

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Thomas' name is given as Frederick Thomas in the marriage register.
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See Thomas in uniform, with Mabel, in April 1904, at the wedding of one of Thomas' sisters-in-law, Annie Elizabeth J Nayler to Henry Arthur Smith. (Click image for larger version)

Other Marriages/Unions for Thomas Frederick KNIBBS:
See Thomas Frederick KNIBBS & Flora Beatrice ALLEN


Notes for Thomas Frederick KNIBBS:



Thomas aged about 42 in about 1927. (click to enlarge)
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Thomas joined the Royal Navy in April 1903 and was a Portsmouth rating. He was recorded as 5'4" with dark brown hair, hazel eyes and a dark complexion when he joined, but supposedly grey eyes and a pale complexion when he left the service. He had a shamrock tattoo on his left arm when he joined and tattoos on both arms when he left the navy.
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He became an Ordinary Seaman on 26 Oct 1903 and was promoted from Ordinary Seaman to Able Seaman on 8 Dec 1904. We can also see from his naval record that Thomas qualified as a navy diver on 22 Sep 1906.

After leaving the Royal Navy, he signed on for the Fleet Reserve on 26 Sep 1926 until 28 Sep 1938. Throughout his career his conduct was identified as "VG Superior".
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We see Thomas in the 1911 census living at 70 Kilmiston Street, Landport, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England:
Thomas Knibbs Head 25 Married Able Seaman RN Old Windsor Berks
Mabel Knibbs Wife 26 Married (4 years) Portsea Hants
Frederick Knibbs Son 3 Portsea Hants

The census confirms that this was their only child before 1911.
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From the Windsor and Eton Express - 26 September 1914:
Windsor, Eton, Slough & District
Roll of Honour
List of those from this District Serving in His Majesty's Forces
OLD WINDSOR
Knibbs, S. E., Stoker; H.M.S. Russell.
Knibbs, F. T., A.B., Submarine E8. 
Knibbs, A. C., A.B., Submarine E5. 
Knibbs, A. J., Seaman Gunner, H.M.S. Grasshopper. 
Knibbs, H. G., Stoker, H.M.S. Brilliant. 
Knibbs, W. J., Stoker, H.M.S. Audacious. 

NOTE: Submarines E5 and E8 should have been recorded the other way round. Amos was on the E8, and Thomas on the E5.
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The ships and shore establishments he served on are listed below:
HMS Northampton 26 Apr 1903 to 15 Aug 1903 (Cruiser/Training Ship)
HMS Calliope 16 Aug 1903 to 7 Oct 1903 (Cruiser/Training Ship)
HMS Victory 8 Oct 1913 to 2 Nov 1903 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Centurion 3 Nov 1903 to 25 Aug 1905 (Battleship) [1]
HMS Vernon 26 Aug 1905 to 20 Jan 1906 (Training Ship)
HMS Victory I 21 Jan 1906 to 22 Feb 1906 )Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Furious 23 Feb 1906 to 14 Jul 1906 (Cruiser)
HMS Excellent 15 Jul 1906 to 30 Sep 1906 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Victory I 1 Oct 1906 to 10 Nov 1906 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Mercury 11 Nov 1906 to 2 Sep 1907 (Submarine Depot Ship) [2]
HMS Edgar 3 Sep 1907 to 9 Oct 1907 (Cruiser)
HMS Powerful 10 Oct 1907 to 12 Jan 1910 (Armoured Cruiser) [3]
HMS Terrible 13 Jan 1910 to 24 Feb 1910 (Armoured Cruiser)
HMS Victory I 25 Feb 1910 to 2 Apr 1910 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Vernon 3 Apr 1910 to 15 Jun 1910 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Excellent 16 Jun 1910 to 3 Sep 1910 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Mercury 4 Sep 1910 to 25 Jun 1911 (Submarine Depot Ship)
HMS Bonaventure 26 Jun 1911 to 14 Oct 1912 (Cruiser/Submarine Depot Ship)
HMS Maidstone 15 Oct 1912 to 12 Dec 1915 (Submarine Depot Ship) [4]
HMS Dolphin (E5) 13 Dec 1915 to 6 Aug 1916 (Portsmouth - Shore Base/Submarine E5)
HMS Titania (Sub J2) 7 Aug 1916 to 9 Jan 1917 (Submarine Depot Ship/Submarine J2)
HMS Dolphin 10 Jan 1917 to 30 Apr 1917 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Fearless (K1) 1 May 1917 to 18 Nov 1917 (Cruiser/Submarine Depot Ship/Submarine) [5]
HMS Dolphin 19 Nov 1917 to 28 Mar 1918 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Fearless (K15) 29 Mar 1918 to11 Feb 1919 (Cruiser/Submarine Depot Ship/Submarine)
HMS Royal Arthur (K15) 5 Feb 1919 to 16 Oct 1919 (Submarine Depot Ship/Submarine)
HMS Dolphin 12 Feb 1919 to 18 Mar 1919 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Victory 14 Jul 1920 to to 15 Aug 1920 (Portsmouth - Shore Base)
HMS Inconstant 26 Aug 1920 to 16 Feb 1922 (Cruiser)
HMS Conquest 17 Feb 1922 to 30 Aug 1923 (Cruiser)
HMS Victory I 31 Aug 1923 to 31 Mar 1925
HMS Vernon 1 Apr 1925 to 3 Apr 1925
HMS Dido 4 Apr 1925 to 31 Jan 1926
HMS Victory II 1 Feb 19926 to 25 Sep 1926 (Shore Pensioned)
I note that the period between 16 October 1918 and 12 Feb 1919 isn't recorded on his file.

It appears that Thomas left the service soon after the above period then re-enlisted in 1938:

HMS Victory I 28 Dep 1938 to 17 Jan 1940
HMS Victory II (Delight) 18 Jan 1940 to 13 Feb 1940
HMS Victory I 14 Feb 1940 to 27 Feb 1940
HMS Dolphin 28 Feb 1940

See images of the ships on which he served.
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[1] Centurion underwent a reconstruction at Portsmouth, including a partial rearmament, between September 1901 and November 1903. On 3 November 1903 (the day that Thomas Joined her) she commissioned there for another period of service on the China Station. Departing Portsmouth on 10 November 1903, she called at Malta on 17 November 1903, at Port Said on 25 November 1903, at Aden on 6 December 1903, at Colombo, Ceylon, on 15 December 1903, and at Singapore on 27 December 1903 before arriving at Hong Kong on 31 December 1903.
In 1905, the United Kingdom and Japan ratified a treaty of alliance, reducing the need for a large Royal Navy presence on the China Station. The British squadron there was reduced, and all its battleships were withdrawn. Accordingly, on 7 June 1905, Centurion, in company with battleship HMS Ocean, departed Hong Kong. At Singapore, they rendezvoused with battleships HMS Albion and HMS Vengeance. The four battleships departed Singapore on 20 June 1905 and steamed in company to Plymouth, where they arrived on 2 August 1905. Centurion paid off at Portsmouth on 25 August 1905.
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[2] I believe Thomas transferred into submarines in September 1910 when he was first assigned to the submarine depot ship, HMS Mercury.
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[3] I believe that during Thomas' time aboard the Powerful, it spent it's time on the Australian Station.
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[4] In Dec 1915, Thomas was drafted to the submarine depot ship HMS Maidstone and served for much of that time on the submarine E5. In June 1913, an explosion occurred inside E5's Main Engines, resulting in the death of one officer and two ratings. In addition, nine men were badly burned. Thomas left the E5 in Dec 1915. In Mar 1916, the E5 failed to return from patrol and was presumed to have been sunk and possibly hit by a mine. Thomas clearly survived beyond that time so I Imagine that was one patrol that he didn't go on.
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[5] Thomas' next submarine was the K1 which he joined in May 1917. During an operation off the Danish coast, K1 had been patrolling on the surface as part of a flotilla of submarines operating in line ahead. The flotilla was led by the light cruiser HMS Blonde followed by submarines K1, K3, K4 and K7 at the rear. Blonde turned sharply to avoid three cruisers which crossed her bows, which caused confusion amongst the following submarines and in the maneuvering, seawater entered the boiler room through the funnels and put the boiler fires out (a common problem in K class submarines). The loss of steam pressure caused the K1 to slow down and although K3 just missed her, K4 struck a blow alongside the conning tower which pierced the hull. Seawater poured into the control room and reached the batteries under the floor causing chlorine gas to be produced. The 56 crew members were transferred from K1 to the cruiser and it was decided that K1 could not be saved, so she was sunk by gunfire from the cruiser.
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Thomas joined the merchant navy after his time with the Royal Navy.


See Thomas' Mechant Navy Certificate, CR1 Certificate

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The following is an extract from the Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941:
First name(s)Thomas Frederick
Last nameKnibbs
Event year1918
Birth year 1885
Birth placeOld Windsor
Birth county/country-
Birth date 08 Nov 1885
Discharge number-
Identity certificate number469883
Card type CR10
Archive
The National Archives
Series BT350
Date range1918-1921
Record setBritain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941
CategoryEducation & work
SubcategoryMerchant Navy & Maritime
Collections fromGreat Britain, UK None
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Thomas is named on the memorial in St Wilfrids Church in George Street, Portsmouth.where they have a memorial consisting of four cardboard panels within a glass fronted frame. The panels contain lists of those who left the parish to serve in WW1, with small red crosses against the names of those who did not return. The list is compiled on a street by street basis - some of the streets no longer exist. The panels are heavily foxed but the lettering is still clear.
It hung beneath the altar, and is normally covered by the altar cloth, in the chapel on the south side of the church.

On Panel 2:
Beecham Road
Knibbs T. A.B. HM Sub E5

Sources for Thomas Frederick KNIBBS:

  1. 1901 British Census,
  2. FreeBMD,
  3. National Archives for England, gave DOB 
  4. 1911 British Census,
  5. GRO England & Wales, from 1837 On Line. 
  6. CR10 Certificate,

Notes for Mabel NAYLER:

Also known as: Mabel Naylor

The following is a list of Mabel's family, starting with her paternal grandparents extracted from FreeBMD and census returns and maybe in need of more thorough checking:

1 Unknown Marshall
. +Ann Unknown b: Abt. 1794 in Bentley, Yorkshire, England
........ 2 Mary Marshall b: Abt. 1817 in Bentley, Yorkshire, England
............ +Edward Nayler b: Abt. 1816 in St. Pancras, London, Middlesex, England m: Apr-Jun 1840 in Islington District, London, England
................... 3 Edward Nayler b: Apr-Jun 1841 in Stepney, London, Middlesex, England
....................... +Mary Ann Cancell b: Abt. 1841 in Portsea, Hampshire, England m: Oct-Dec 1875 in Witham, Essex, England
.............................. 4 Ellen Nayler b: Apr-Jun 1864 in Portsea, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Jessie Nayler b: Jul-Sep 1866 in Portsea, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Adelaide Louisa Nayler b: Oct-Dec 1870 in Portsea, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Henry Charles Nayler b: Jan-Mar 1875 in Portsea, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 George Leapold Nayler b: Jan-Mar 1877 in Portsea, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Albert Edward Nayler b: Jul-Sep 1880 in Portsea, Hampshire, England
................... 3 Emma Nayler b: Jan-Mar 1847 in Stepney, London, Middlesex, England
....................... +James Meades m: Oct-Dec 1870 in Portsea Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Edward Thomas Meades b: Jan-Mar 1874 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 George Meades b: Apr-Jun 1876 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
................... 3 Alfred Nayler b: Apr-Jun 1849 in Southsea, Hampshire, England
....................... +Mary Ann Walker b: Abt. 1851 in Portsmouth, Hampshire m: Oct-Dec 1873 in Portsea Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Mabel Nayler b: Abt. 1878 in Lackenby, Yorkshire, England
.............................. 4 Maud Nayler b: Abt. 1880 in Lackenby, Yorkshire, England
................... 3 John Nayler b: Apr-Jun 1852 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
....................... +Clara Avis b: Abt. 1854 in Ryde, isle of Wight, England m: Apr-Jun 1873 in Portsea Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Alfred John Nayler b: Abt. 1874 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
.................................. +Lilian Amy Saunders b: Jul-Sep in Portsmouth, Hampshire m: Apr-Jun 1900 in Portsea Dist, Hampshire, England
......................................... 5 Irene Violet L Nayler b: Jan-Mar 1901 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Alice Maud Nayler b: Jul-Sep 1876 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
.................................. +Henry Kill or John Young m: Oct-Dec 1897 in Portsea Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Clara Louise Nayler b: Jul-Sep 1879 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
.................................. +John Sheppard or George Wake m: Oct-Dec 1900 in Portsmouth Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Annie Elizabeth J Nayler b: Apr-Jun 1883 in Portsmouth Dist, Hampshire, England
.................................. +Henry Smith m: Apr-Jun 1904 in Portsmouth Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Mabel Nayler b: Jul-Sep 1884 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
.................................. +Thomas Frederick Knibbs m: Apr-Jun 1907 in Portsmouth Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 George Henry Nayler b: Jan-Mar 1886 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
.................................. +Lilian Bowden or Lily Stephens m: Jul-Sep 1922 in Portsmouth Dist, Hampshire, England
................... 3 Maria Nayler b: Apr-Jun 1853 in Southsea, Hampshire, England
....................... +William Timothy Lemmon b: Jan-Mar 1852 in Portsea, Hampshire m: Oct-Dec 1873 in Portsea Dist, Hampshire, England
.............................. 4 Lottie Lemmon b: Jan-Mar 1879 in Portsea, Hampshire, England

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Mable's paternal grandparents were Edward Nayler and Mary Marshall. They maried during q2/1840 at Islington Dist, London, Middlesex, England.

They were seen to be living at what looks like Penny Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire at the time of the 1861 census return:
Edward Nayler Head 44 Brass Finisher Middlesex St. Pancras
Mary Nayler Wife 45 Yorkshire Bentley
Edward Nayler Son 19 Brass Finisher Midlesex Stepney
Emma Nayler Daur 14 Middlesex Stepney
Alfred Nayler Son 12 Scholar Hants Southsea
John Nayler Son 9 Scholar Hants Southsea
Maria Nayler Daur 8 Scholar Hants Southsea
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Mabel's grandparents were living at 15 Lombard Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, in 1871 with two children, including Mabel's dad, John Nayler:
Edward Nayler Head 54 Brass Finisher & Turner London St. Pancras
Mary Nayler 55 Yorkshire Bentley
Maria Nayler Daur 17 Hants Southsea
John Nayler Son 19 Carpenter Hants Southsea
Ann Marshall Mother-in-Law 77 Assistant Yorkshire Bentley
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I think Mabel's dad, John Nayler, went on to marry Clara Avis. A Clara Avis married John Naylor (transcribed with and "o" instead of an "e") in q2/1873 in Portsea Dist, Hampshire. The Naylor surname seems to have been spelled with an "E" in all except for the 1881 census return, so I've assumed that's what it should really be.
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We can see Mabel's parents and three older siblings at the 1881 census, living at 36 Grigg Street, Portsea, Hampshire:
John NAYLOR Head M Male 29 Portsea, Hampshire, England Joiner
Clara NAYLOR Wife M Female 27 Ryde, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England
Alfred J. NAYLOR Son U Male 7 Portsea, Hampshire, England Scholar
Alice M. NAYLOR Daur U Female 4 Portsea, Hampshire, England Scholar
Clara L. NAYLOR Daur U Female 1 Portsea, Hampshire, England
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In 1891, the family was still living at Portsea at 70 Kilmiston Street, Portsea, Hampshire:
John Nayler Head 39 Carpenter & Joiner Hants Portsmouth
Clara Nayler Wife 37 I of W Ryde
Alfred J Nayler Son 17 Plumbers Ass. Hants Portsmouth
Alice M Nayler Daur 14 General Servt. Hants Portsmouth
Clara L Nayler Daur 11 Scholar Hants Portsmouth
Annie E J Nayler Daur 9 Scholar Hants Portsmouth
Mabel Nayler Daur 6 Scholar Hants Portsmouth
George H Nayler Son 5 Hants Portsmouth
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We can see Mabel and her family living at 70 Kilmiston Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire at the time of the 1901 census return:
John Nayler Head 49 Joiner Carpenter Potsmouth Hants
Clara Nayler Wife 47 Ryde Isle of Wight
Annie E J Nayler Daur 18 Portsmouth Hants
Mabel Nayler Daur 16 Tailoress Portsmouth Hants
George H Nayler Son 15 Plumber Portsmouth Hants
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Mabel married Thomas Knibbs in 1907.
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We see Mabel's father in 1911, a widower, living at 17 Conway Street, Landport, Portsmouth, Hampshire:
Mrs E A Bowden Head Wid 55 Shopkeeper Plymouth Devon
Lillian Mary Bowden Daur UnM 24 Home Assisting in Business Plymouth Devon
John Nayler Boarder Wid Carpenter Portsmouth Hants
George Henry Nayler Boarder UnM Plumber Portsmouth Hants
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From FreeBMD:
Alfred J's full name was Alfred John and he was born in Portsea District during q2/1874. I suspect it was he who married Lilian Saunders or Annie Sperring during q2/1900 at Portsea District.
Alice M's full name was Alice Maud who was born in Portsea Island District during q3/1876. I believe she married Henry Kill or John Young during q4/1897 in Portsea District. I believe it was Henry Kill
Clara was probably Clara Louise Nayler who was born in Portsea District during q3/1879. She married John Sheppard or George Wake in Portsmouth District during q4/1900.
Annie's full name was Annie Elizabeth J Nayler. She was born in q2/1883 at Portsea Dist, and married either Francis Burt or Henry Smith in Portsmouth District during q2/1904.
George H Nayler's full name was George Henry and he was born during q1/1886 at Portsea island. I believe he may well be the one who married Lilian Bowden or Lily Stephens in Portsmouth District during q3/1922.
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From the Portsmouth Evening News, Monday 20 June 1927:
KNIBBS-In loving memory dear wile 'Mabel, who died 19th June, 1926.— From her loving husband Tom, also son Fred and daughters Lily and Mabel.

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Mable died aged just 42 years at the birth of her daughter Mabel.

Sources for Mabel NAYLER:

  1. 1881 British Census, gave Portsmouth 
  2. 1891 British Census,
  3. 1901 British Census,
  4. FreeBMD,
  5. 1911 British Census,
  6. GRO England & Wales, from 1901 Census On Line