31-year-old Private Alfred Knibb was killed in action on 20th August 1916 serving with the 1st/9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was born in 1885 in the parish of Tanworth-in-Arden and was the 9th child and youngest son of parents Edwin and Ellen (née Keen). The couple had married in 1867 in Knowle and went on to have 12 children, of whom 11 (five sons, six daughters) were still living by the time of the 1911 census.
The family lived at Knowle Common until around 1871, where Edwin was working as a gardener. They moved to Salter Street around 1877 and remained there until at least 1901.
By 1911, the family had moved to Poplar Road, Dorridge and 26-year-old Alfred was also working as a gardener, as was his older brother, Frederick (born 1878), and their father. Another brother, Thomas (1881-1956), also gave his occupation as a gardener when he enlisted as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery in November 1914. Thomas survived the war but was wounded three times, including a severe gun shot wound in 1917. Another brother, Howard (1883-1958), served as a Private in the Army Service Corps.
Their mother, Ellen, died in 1915, aged 66. Their father, Edwin, continued to live in Dorridge and was churchwarden at Knowle Parish Church. He died, aged 9o, in January 1939 and is buried in Knowle churchyard.
Alfred was killed in action on 20th August 1916 and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. He is also commemorated locally on war memorials at Dorridge, Hockley Heath, Knowle and Packwood.
If you have any more information about the family, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
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