Henry John Knee was a man, who, from very humble beginnings as the son of a pattern Weaver, emerged as one of the leading businessmen in Trowbridge.

Henry was born in a tiny house in Gloucester Road on the 22nd of September 1856. His father was employed, like most people in the area, in the thriving textile industry. At some point after leaving school, presumably at about the age of 12, Henry found work with Mr Isaac Chapman who carried on the furnishing and ironmongery business at 49 Market Place Fore Street.

Mr Chapman also made straw mattresses in a shed near the town bridge and Henry ultimately became a partner in this business. Why Mr Chapman wanted to get rid of his furnishing and ironmongery business is not known but he leant Henry £500.00 @ 10% interest which Henry used to purchase the shop in Fore Street.

Henry Knee married Rose and they had six children. In June 1935 Henry died and his eldest son Percival Hebden Knee took on the responsibility of managing the business.

Mr Hebden as Percival was known had a passion for motorcars and expanded the business into the motor trade, opening several garages in the town, which later became Hebden Knee Motors.

Mr Hebden was a much loved and respected member of the local community who took a keen interest in the well being of local people and was for many years on the town Council. He sadly died from rheumatoid arthritis in 1956. Mr Hebden's eldest son Noel Hebden Knee trained as an accountant in Bristol and joined the firm in the early Thirties and together father and son steered the company through the rigours of the depression and into the post-war era.

Mr Hebden's second son John Hebden Knee joined Hebden Knee Motors after he finished his service with the Merchant Navy. He soon combined his interest in agriculture with the facilities in the garage and formed our engineering division, Knee Agricultural Machinery Limited which today is a thriving business involved in many areas of engineering.

The family still controls every aspect of the business much as we have done for over 100 years, with six members actively involved in the day-to-day affairs of the company and with younger members of the family now entering the modern business environment we shall certainly continue to be an integral part of life in West Wiltshire and the surrounding area.

If you have an interest in the history of the Knees or have a personal story with a connection to the company, we would be pleased to hear from you.