Constable
Thomas KNIBBS
YEAR OF DEATH
1855
JURISDICTION
Western Australia
DETAILS OF DEATH
Constable Knibbs was murdered en route to the Beaufort Hills Police Station in Perth. Knibbs relieved Mounted Const. Phillip McGuire who had escorted prisoner Stevens from Albany. The party, including coach driver Septimus Robert Toovey stopped for water at the Williams River. Toovey and Knibbs collected water and returned to the coach where Stevens was waiting with a pistol in each hand. He placed a pistol at Knibbs’ chest and shot him dead. Toovey ran for cover and returned with David Grainger and overpowered Stevens. The party continued to Perth with Knibbs but because of the decomposing body were forced to bury him on February 13th, 1855 at Bannister.
