Bill Kibby

William Henry Kibby, VC (15 April 1903 – 31 October 1942) was a British-
Bill Kibby
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. Kibby emigrated to South Australia with his parents at
the age of 11, and worked as an interior decorator and served in the part-time
Militia prior to World War II. 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. 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.

In October, the 2/48th Battalion was committed to the Second Battle of El

Alamein, during which he undertook a series of courageous and inspirational
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
Sergeant William Kibby c. 1941
provided inspirational leadership to his platoon and mended its telephone line Nickname(s) Bill
under heavy fire, and on the final occasion he pressed forward under withering Born 15 April 1903
fire and helped his company capture its objective. This final action ultimately Winlaton, County
cost him his life. He was then posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. A Durham, United
memorial trust used donated monies to purchase a house for his widow and two Kingdom
daughters. His medal set is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in the Hall
Died 31 October 1942
of Valour.
(aged 39)
El Alamein, Egypt
Buried El Alamein War
Contents Cemetery
Early life Allegiance Australia
World War II Service/ Australian Army
Postscript branch
Footnotes Years of 1936–1942
References service
Books
Rank Sergeant
News, journals and gazettes
Websites Unit 2/48th Infantry
External links Battalion
Battles/wars World War II

North African
Early life Campaign
William Henry Kibby was born at Winlaton, County Durham, UK, on 15 April First Battle
1903, the second of three children born to John Robert Kibby, a draper's of El
assistant, and Mary Isabella Kibby née Birnie. In early 1914, the Kibby family Alamein
emigrated to Adelaide, South Australia. Bill attended Mitcham Public School, Second
and after this he was employed in various roles before securing a position at the Battle of El
Perfection Fibrous Plaster Works in Edwardstown, where he worked as an Alamein
interior decorator, designing and fixing plaster decorations. He married Mabel
Sarah Bidmead Morgan in 1926; they lived at Helmsdale (now Glenelg East) and Awards Victoria Cross
had two daughters.[1]

Kibby stood only 5 feet 6 inches (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.[1] He was
described as a quiet and sincere man who loved gardening.[2] 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.[1]

World War II
On 29 June 1940, Kibby enlisted in the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, which had been raised for overseas
service in World War II. He was posted to the 2/48th Infantry Battalion,[1] part of the 26th Brigade. This brigade was initially
assigned to the 7th Division.[3] 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.[4] 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
40 watercolours and pencil drawings, which, according to his biographer, Bill Gammage, displayed "a fondness for Palestine's
countryside and a feeling for its people."[1] While in Palestine, Kibby struck up a friendship with the painter Esmond George, and
accompanied him on an occasional sketching trip. George was invalided back to Adelaide early in 1943, and was able to pass on
to Mrs. Kibby some of her husband's works.[5] After recovering, Kibby joined the brigade training battalion in August 1941 and
also attended the infantry school to complete a weapons course.[6] He rejoined the 2/48th in February 1942,[1] the 26th Brigade
having been transferred to the 9th Division a year earlier.[7] At the time, the battalion was undertaking garrison duties in northern
Syria, after participating in the Siege of Tobruk.[1]

During early 1942, the Axis forces had advanced steadily through northwest Egypt. It was decided that the British Eighth Army
should make a stand just over 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Alexandria, at the railway siding of El Alamein, where the coastal
plain narrowed between the Mediterranean Sea and the inhospitable Qattara Depression.[8] On 26 June 1942, the 9th Division
was ordered to begin moving from northern Syria to El Alamein.[9] On 1 July, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel's forces
made a major attack, hoping to dislodge the Allies from the area, take Alexandria, and open the way to Cairo and the Suez Canal.
This attack resulted in the First Battle of El Alamein. The Eighth Army had regrouped sufficiently to repel the Axis forces and
launch counterattacks. On 6 July, the lead elements of the 9th Division arrived at Tel el Shammama 22 miles (35 km) from the
front,[10] from where they would be committed to the fighting in the northern sector.[11]

Before dawn on 10 July, as Rommel focused his efforts on the southern flank of the battlefield, the 9th Division attacked the north
flank of the enemy positions and captured the strategic high ground around Tel el Eisa. In the days following, Rommel redirected
his forces against them, in a series of intense counterattacks, but was unable to dislodge the Australians.[12] On 22 July, the 24th
and 26th Brigades attacked German positions on the ridges south of Tel el Eisa, suffering heavy casualties taking positions on
Makh Khad Ridge and Tel el Eisa itself.[13]
At the Second Battle of El Alamein, during the period of 23–31 October 1942,
Kibby distinguished himself through his skill in leading his platoon, after his
commander had been killed, during the first attack at Miteiriya Ridge. On 23
October, he charged a machine gun position, firing at it with his Thompson
submachine gun; Kibby killed three enemy soldiers, captured 12 others and took the
position. His company commander intended to recommend him for the
Distinguished Conduct Medal after this action, but was killed. During the following
days, Kibby moved among his men directing fire and cheering them on. He mended
his platoon's telephone line several times under intense fire. On 30–31 October, the
platoon came under intense machine gun and mortar fire. Most of them were killed
or wounded, and by the time the fighting was over the total fighting strength of the
battalion was down to 213 men from an establishment strength of 910. At one point
during the last night, in order to achieve his company's objective, Kibby moved
Jubilee 150 Walkway plaque
forward alone, to within a few metres of the enemy, throwing grenades. Just as his commemorating highly decorated
success in this endeavour appeared decisive, he was killed. By the morning, the WWII soldiers from South
2/48th consisted of fewer than 50 unwounded men. The posts captured by the 2/48th Australia
that night were lost to the enemy, who buried Kibby with other casualties in a
common grave. Later, when the area was retaken by Australian troops, the men of
his unit searched for ten days, found the grave and individually reburied the men.[14][15][16][17]

Kibby was subsequently recommended for the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the
face of the enemy that could be awarded to an Australian armed forces member at the time.[18] The citation was partly based on a
note found in the pocket of his dead company commander.[14] The award was gazetted on 26 January 1943, and the citation
read:[18][19]

During the initial attack attack at Miteiriya on the 23rd October 1942 the
commander of No. 17 Platoon, to which Sergeant Kibby belonged, was killed.
No sooner had Sergeant Kibby assumed command, than his Platoon was
ordered to attack strong enemy positions holding up the advance of his
Company. Sergeant Kibby immediately realised the necessity for quick
decisive action, and without thought for his personal safety he dashed forward
towards the enemy posts firing his Tommy-gun. This rapid and courageous
individual action resulted in the complete silencing of the enemy fire, by the
killing of three of the enemy and the capture of twelve others. With these posts
silenced, his Company was then able to continue the advance.

After the capture of TRIG 29 on the 26th October, intense enemy artillery
concentrations were directed on the battalion area, which were invariably
followed with counter-attacks by tanks and infantry. Throughout the attack
that culminated in the capture of TRIG 29 and the re-organisation period
which followed, Sergeant Kibby moved from section to section personally
directing their fire and cheering the men, despite the fact that the Platoon
throughout was suffering heavy casualties. Several times, when under intense
The Victoria Cross machine-gun fire, he went out and mended the platoon line communications,
thus allowing mortar concentrations to be directed effectively against the
attacks on his Company's front. His whole demeanour during this difficult
phase in the operations was an inspiration to his Platoon.
 On the night of 30th-31st October when the Battalion attacked "ring contour"
25 behind the enemy lines, it was necessary for No. 17 Platoon to move
through the most withering enemy machine-gun fire in order to reach its
objective. These conditions did not deter Sergeant Kibby from pressing
forward right to the objective, despite his platoon being mown down by
machine-gun fire from point-blank range. One pocket of resistance still
remained and Sergeant Kibby went forward alone throwing grenades to
destroy the enemy now only a few yards distant. Just as success appeared
certain, he was killed by a burst of machine-gun fire. Such outstanding
courage, tenacity of purpose and devotion to duty was entirely responsible for
the successful capture of the Company's objective. His work was an
inspiration to all and he left behind an example and the memory of a soldier
who fearlessly and unselfishly fought to the end to carry out his duty.

— The London Gazette 26 January 1943

The Governor-General, Baron Gowrie, himself a recipient of the VC, presented Kibby's award to his widow, Mabel, on 27
November 1943.[20]

Postscript
In January 1944, Kibby's remains were re-interred in the El Alamein War
Cemetery maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.[1] In the
same year, a memorial trust was established and raised A₤1,001, which was used
to purchase a house on Third Avenue, Helmsdale, for Mabel and their
daughters.[21] Along with the Victoria Cross, Kibby was also entitled to the
1939–1945 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp, Defence Medal, War Medal
1939–1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939–1945.[22] Later, Mabel donated
Grave of Bill Kibby at the
his medal set to the Australian War Memorial; it is on display in the Hall of Commonwealth War Graves
Valour.[20][23] In 1956, the soldiers' mess at Woodside Barracks in the Adelaide cemetery, El Alamein, Egypt
Hills was named for Kibby.[1][24]

Footnotes
1. Gammage 2000. 13. Johnston 2002, p. 87.
2. Blanch & Pegram 2018, p. 379. 14. Wigmore & Harding 1986, pp. 157–158.
3. Morgan 2018, pp. 21–22. 15. Staunton 2005, p. 219.
4. National Archives 2019, p. 12. 16. Blanch & Pegram 2018, pp. 378–379.
5. The Advertiser 11 February 1943. 17. Kuring 2004, p. 47.
6. National Archives 2019, p. 13. 18. The London Gazette 26 January 1943.
7. Johnston 2005, pp. 2–3. 19. Blanch & Pegram 2018, p. 377.
8. Maughan 1966, p. 542. 20. Best 2018, p. 135.
9. Johnston 2002, p. 72. 21. The Advertiser 15 January 1945.
10. Johnston 2002, p. 73. 22. National Archives 2019, p. 9.
11. Australian War Memorial 2019a. 23. Australian War Memorial 2019b.
12. Maughan 1966, pp. 558–562. 24. National Archives 2019, p. 10.
References

Books
Best, Brian (2018). The Desert VCs: Extraordinary Valour in the North African Campaign in WWII. Barnsley,
South Yorkshire: Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-5267-2109-9.
Blanch, Craig; Pegram, Aaron (2018). For Valour: Australians Awarded the Victoria Cross. Sydney, New South
Wales: NewSouth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-74223-542-4.
Johnston, Mark (2002). That Magnificent 9th: An Illustrated History of the 9th Australian Division 1940–46.
Sydney, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-86508-654-5.
Johnston, Mark (2005). The Silent 7th: An Illustrated History of the 7th Australian Division 1940–46. Crows Nest,
New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-191-5.
Kuring, Ian (2004). Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001. Loftus, New South Wales:
Australian Military History Publications. ISBN 978-1-876439-99-6.
Maughan, Barton (1966). Tobruk to El Alamein (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070202/). Australia in
the War of 1939–1945, Series 1—Army. Volume III (1st ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian
War Memorial. OCLC 954993 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/954993).
Staunton, Anthony (2005). Victoria Cross: Australia's Finest and the Battles they Fought (https://books.google.co
m/books?id=5JesKDclDHYC). Prahran, Victoria: Hardie Grant. ISBN 978-1-74273-486-6.
Wigmore, Lionel; Harding, Bruce A. (1986). Williams, Jeff; Staunton, Anthony (eds.). They Dared Mightily (2nd
ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. ISBN 978-0-642-99471-4.

News, journals and gazettes

"House for V.C's Dependants" (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74616960). The Advertiser. Adelaide, South
Australia. 15 January 1945. p. 6. Retrieved 24 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
Morgan, Joseph (2018). "The Australian 26th Infantry Brigade During World War 2". Sabretache. Garran,
Australian Capital Territory: Military Historical Society of Australia. LIX (4 (December)): 20–28. ISSN 0048-8933
(https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0048-8933).
"No. 35879" (https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35879/supplement/523). The London Gazette
(Supplement). 26 January 1943. p. 523.
"Out Among the People" (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48901047). The Advertiser. LXXXV, (26319). South
Australia. 11 February 1943. p. 4. Retrieved 24 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.

Websites
"2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion" (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U56071). Australian War Memorial.
Retrieved 3 May 2019.
Gammage, Bill (2000). "Kibby, William Henry (Bill) (1903–1942)" (http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kibby-william-h
enry-bill-10733). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 3 May
2019.
"NAA: B883, Kibby, William Henry" (https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.asp
x?B=6410761). National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
"Victoria Cross: Sergeant W H Kibby, 2/48 Battalion" (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C220235). Australian
War Memorial. Retrieved 3 May 2019.

External links
Sergeant W.H. Kibby (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0464.htm) in The Art of
War exhibition at the UK National Archives

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