Thomas Sidney Knapp
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Thomas Sidney Knapp was born in 1892 at Leicester he was the son of Thomas a shoe maker and the late Mary Knapp née Norman of 33 Orson Street, Leicester. His father Thomas was born in 1858 at Smeeton, Leicester, his mother Mary Norman was born in 1852 at Narborough, she died in 1896 she was 44 yrs old, they were married on 21st April 1878 at St Margarets Church, Leicester, they had 5 children. . In the 1911 census his widowed father Thomas 53 yrs a shoe maker was living at 33 Orson Street, Leicester he is living with Caroline Carter 45 yrs his housekeeper and her two children. Thomas Sidney Knapp married his wife Lillie Jackson born 5th October 1888 on 21st May 1907, they had the following children, Emily born 13th March 108, Nora born 7th May 1909 and Constance Selina born 9th August 1912, the family lived at 33 Fisher Lane Mansfield. In the 1911 census the family are living at 8 Bentinck Street, Mansfield, Thomas Sidney 29 yrs is a brick layer, he is living with his wife Lille 29 yrs and their daughter Lille 3 yrs. Commencing 27th September 1915 his widow was awarded a pension of 20 shillings and 6 pence a week.
Enlisted 18 September 1914 aged 33 years and 173 days. Thomas had previously served in South Africa with the Yeomanry during the South African war.He died at home of pneumonia while serving and was buried in Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery.
Personal dedication CWGC headstone: 'In fond remembrance of my dear husband and father from his loving wife and daughters.'Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 2nd April 1915:- “DIED WHILE ON LEAVE.“WOUNDED SOLDIERS HONOUR A COMRADE AT MANSFIELD.“A Mansfield soldier. Private T. S. Knapp, of 33, Fisher-lane, who is attached to the Notts. and Derby Regiment, has died under exceptionally sad circumstances. He had two days' leave last week in order to see his child who is lying dangerously ill with pneumonia. He was due to return to the depot at Derby on Monday, but as he was suffering from a severe cold, he obtained extra leave. On Tuesday he contracted pneumonia himself, and died in a few hours. The deceased, who served with the Yeomanry in the South African war, leaves a widow and a young family."“The funeral took place at the Mansfield Cemetery on Friday afternoon, when six soldiers from Derby. under Sergt. Clarke (Mansfield, but who is now at the Derby military depot), attended as a bearer party, and four men also followed the remains. Most of the soldiers had seen active service in the present war with the deceased man's regiment, and have been wounded. The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, bore the following inscription: “Thomas Knapp. At Rest, March 23rd, 1915. Aged 33 years.”'Note: The child was probably Nellie who died on 06 June 1915.Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
