Please visit my Notable KNIBBS Page for Arthur

Arthur was awarded the George Medal during WWII for saving the lives of two girls.

The incident occurred during one of many air raids in Birmingham. A house had been demolished close to where Arthur lived and cries for help were heard from underneath the wreckage. Two girls were trapped. Arthur tunnelled underneath the wreckage and brought the two girls out to safety. Arthur's nephew, Harold Albert Knibbs (a young man in his twenties at the time) recalls reading the subsequent newspaper article that alluded to the Knibbs' generally 'slim build'. Arthur's build apparently helped him to reach the trapped girls.

The two trapped girls were friends and they remained friends for many years afterwards. About 10 - 15 years ago, Harold Albert Knibbs happened to be reading the Birmingham Evening Mail and saw a letter from a woman recounting the exact story from above. The lady wanted to try to contact the current owner of the George Medal ... with a view to buying it!

Harold contacted the lady and explained that the George Medal was now in the possession of Arthur's grandson, and was instrumental in enabling the lady to make contact with him. Harold recalls that the lady and grandson did meet up. The grandson wouldn't part with the medal but agreed for the ladies to inspect it at any time.

See Arthur's Notable KNIBBS Page

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GEORGE MEDAL
The following article appeared in The Times Newspaper on Saturday 22 March 1941:
Arthur Edward Knibbs, general dealer, Birmingham.
Two women were trapped in a demolished house. Knibbs rescued the younger girl. There was a small hole leading down to the kitchen fire, which was still burning. He went down this opening and released the youth whose head was trapped by a beam. A girl was pinned in a chair under a beam, and it was necessary to saw the seat and one arm away to release her. Knibbs was working in a cramped position
close to the fire grate for nearly two hours, and there was considerable risk of the house collapsing, and trapping him. Bombs were also dropped in the neighbourhood during the rescue work.

See Copy of Times Article.

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The following article is from the London Gazette, Friday 21st March 1941:
Awarded the George Medal:
Arthur Edward Knibbs, General Dealer, Birmingham.
A high explosive bomb demolished a house, trapping two women and a youth. Knibbs climbed over debris and rescued the younger girl. There was a small hole leading down to the kitchen fire which was still burning. He went down this opening and saw the youth with his head under a beam. He released his head and dragged him out. A girl was pinned in a chair under a beam and it was necessary to saw the seat and one arm away to release her. Knibbs was working in a cramped position, close to the fire grate, for nearly two hours, and there was considerable risk of the house collapsing and trapping him. Bombs were also dropped in the neighbourhood during the time the rescue work was being undertaken.
Mr Knibbs acted in a most courageous manner without regard to his own safety.

Harld Albert Knibbs can't remember Nelie so well but certainly remembers that she was known as Red Haired Nellie amongst family.