Bill Kibby

William Henry Kibby, (15 April 1903 – 31 October 1942) was a British-born Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that could be awarded to a member of the Australian armed forces at the time.

William Henry Kibby was born at Winlaton, County Durham, United Kingdom, on 15 April 1903.

The second of three children, Kibby was born to John Robert Kibby, a draper's assistant, and Mary Isabella Kibby Birnie.

He had two sisters.

Kibby emigrated to South Australia with his parents in early 1914 and worked as an interior decorator and served in the part-time Militia prior to World WarII.

In early 1914, the Kibby family emigrated to Adelaide, South Australia.

Bill attended Mitcham Public School and then held various jobs before securing a position at the Perfection Fibrous Plaster Works in Edwardstown.

There, he worked as an interior decorator, designing and fixing plaster decorations.

He married Mabel Sarah Bidmead Morgan in 1926; they lived at Helmsdale (now Glenelg East) and had two daughters, Clariss and Jacqueline.

Kibby stood only 168 cm tall, but was a strong man and enjoyed outdoor activities.

He joined the scouting movement, as an assistant scoutmaster of the 2nd Glenelg Sea Scouts where he crewed their lifeboat.

He enjoyed family walks and picnics and was a keen golfer, playing on various public courses.

He was also a talented artist, painting and drawing in addition to his plaster design work, and even briefly attended art classes at the School of Mines and Industries.

He was described as a quiet and sincere man who loved gardening.

In 1936, he joined the part-time Militia and was posted to the 48th Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery.

Along with his Militia service, he enjoyed participating in military tattoos.

In 1940, he enlisted in the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force and joined the 2/48th Infantry Battalion.

His unit was sent to the Middle East, but soon after arriving, Kibby broke his leg and spent the next year recovering and undergoing further training while his battalion took part in the North African campaign.

On 29 June 1940, Kibby enlisted in the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, which had been raised for overseas service in World WarII.

After recovering, Kibby joined the brigade training battalion in August 1941 and also attended the infantry school to complete a weapons course.

He rejoined his unit when it was serving on garrison duties in northern Syria after its involvement in the siege of Tobruk, but in June 1942 it was sent to Egypt and recommitted to the North Africa campaign.

Kibby was with the battalion during the First Battle of El Alamein in July.

He rejoined the 2/48th in February 1942, the 26th Brigade having been transferred to the 9th Division a year earlier.

At the time, the battalion was undertaking garrison duties in northern Syria, after participating in the siege of Tobruk.

In October, the 2/48th Battalion was committed to the Second Battle of El Alamein, during which Kibby undertook a series of courageous actions across the period from 23 to 31 October.

In the first episode, he went forward alone and silenced an enemy machine-gun post.

In the second, he provided inspirational leadership to his platoon and mended its telephone line under heavy fire.

On the final occasion, he pressed forward under withering fire and helped his company capture its objective.

This final action ultimately cost him his life.

He was then posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

A memorial trust used donated money to purchase a house for his widow and two daughters.

His medal set is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in the Hall of Valour.

He was posted to the 2/48th Infantry Battalion, part of the 26th Brigade.

This brigade was initially assigned to the 7th Division.

On 14 September, when the battalion was training in South Australia, Kibby was promoted to acting corporal, and this was followed by promotion to acting sergeant a month later.

The 2/48th embarked on the troopship HMT Stratheden on 17 November and sailed for the Middle East, where it disembarked in Palestine on 17 December.

On New Year's Eve, Kibby fell into a slit trench and broke his leg.

He then spent months convalescing.

During his recovery, he produced at least forty watercolours and pencil drawings, which, according to his biographer, Bill Gammage, displayed "a fondness for Palestine's countryside and a feeling for its people".

While in Palestine, Kibby struck up a friendship with the painter Esmond George, and occasionally accompanied him on sketching trips.