Bill Kibby

William Henry Kibby
William Henry Kibby
	William Kibby
Nickname(s)	Bill
Born	15 April 1903; Winlaton, County Durham, England
Died	31 October 1942 (aged 39); El Alamein, Egypt
Buried	El Alamein War Cemetery
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1936–1942
Rank	Sergeant
Battles/wars	Second World War North African Campaign; First Battle of El Alamein; Second Battle of El Alamein;
Awards	Victoria Cross

William Henry (Bill) Kibby VC (15 April 1903 – 31 October 1942) was a British-born Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Kibby was born at Winlaton, County Durham, England. In early 1914, the family emigrated to Adelaide, where Bill attended Mitcham Public School. After leaving school he was employed at a plasterworks in Edwardstown, where he designed and fixed plaster decorations. In 1926, he married Mabel Sarah Bidmead Morgan; they lived at Helmsdale and had two daughters.

Although he was diminutive (168 cm (5 ft 6 in)), Kibby was a strong man and loved outdoor activities. In 1936, he joined the Militia, and was assigned to the 48 Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery.

Second World War

Kibby joined the Australian Imperial Force during Second World War. In 1942, he was a Sergeant in the 2/48th Infantry Battalion (South Australia), during the North African campaign.

At the Battle of El Alamein, during the period of 23–31 October 1942, Kibby distinguished himself through his skill in leading a platoon, after his commander had been killed, during the initial attack at Miteiriya Ridge. On 23 October, he charged a machine gun position, firing at it with his Thompson submachinegun; 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. In order to achieve his company's objective, Kibby moved forward alone, to within a few metres of the enemy, throwing grenades to destroy them. Just as his success in this endeavour appeared certain, he was killed.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial.

Jubilee 150 Walkway plaque commemorating WWII heroes

External links

Bill Gammage, 'Kibby, William Henry (Bill) (1903–1942)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15, Melbourne University Press, 2000, pp 15–16.
Sergeant W.H. Kibby in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
Bill Kibby at Find a Grave

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