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Sergeant William KIBBY VC 2/48th Battalion AIF Recommended for the VC by a dead man. During the period 23/31 October 1942 with the initial attack at Miteiriya Ridge, Egypt, Sergeant Kibby brilliantly distinguished himself leading the platoon when his commander had been killed. On 23 October he silenced an enemy machine-gun, killing three of the enemy and capturing 12 others. During the following days he moved among his men directing fire and cheering them on. |
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Several times under intense fire he went and mended the platoon line communications. On 30/31 October in order to achieve his company's objective he went forward alone, throwing grenades to destroy the enemy only a few yards away. Just as success appeared certain, he was killed. However it allowed the rest of the rest of the unit, all wounded by fire from that same machine gun, to retire in safety. When they found his bullet riddled body several days later he was only yards from the machine gun and the gun crew was all dead. Close by was the body of his Company Commander, Captain Peter Roberts. In his pocket was a note recommending Kibby for a VC. |
| Victoria Cross | 1939/45 Star | Africa Star | |
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| 1939/45 War Medal | Defence Medal | Aust Service Medal |
| Dear
Sir/Madam, I would like to bring some mis-information published on
your Website to your attention regarding Sergeant William Henry Kibby
VC. His platoon commander was not killed on 23 October 1942 but
wounded. He was WX696 Lieutenant (later Captain) R.W. Lewin, born on
15 January 1919 at Northam, W.A., a Saddler of Maylands, W.A.
Furthermore, Kibby's company commander (whose recommendation for Kibby
was found on his dead body) was not Captain Peter Roberts, as has so
often been incorrectly reported, even in Lionel Wigmore's book,
'Mightily They Dared'. It was SX10325 Captain Peter Robbins, born on 5
April 1920 at Adelaide, South Australia, a Salesman of Malvern, S.A.,
son of Walter Fellows Robbins and his wife Doris Daphne Robbins, of
Unley Park, S.A. He was buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt, in Row XVI, Plot C, Grave 26. For reference to the above see 1. Australia in the War of 1939-45, Series One - Army Volume III - Tobruk and El Alamein, Barton Maughan, pp. 219, 668, 669, 715, 728 The Griffin Press, Adelaide, South Australia 1966 Best Wishes, Doug vcresearch@austarnet.com.au
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| CITATION:
During the initial attack at Miteiriya Ridge on 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 post 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 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 attacks 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 machine-gun fire, he went out and mended the platoon line communications, thus allowing mortar concentrations to be directed effectively against the attack 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 him an example and memory of a soldier who fearlessly and unselfishly fought to the end to carry out his duty. (London Gazette: 28th January 1943.) |
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The VC was presented to his widow by H.E., Brigadier General the Right Honorable Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, 1st Baron Gowrie, VC, GCMG, CB, DSO, Governor General of Australia on 27 November 1943. It
is held by the Australian War Memorial, Anzac Parade, Canberra,
Australian Capital Territory, Australia. He
was buried in the field but his body was later exhumed and reburied in
El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt on 15 January 1944. Plot No. XVI. Row A.
Grave 18 An
Army Club at Woodside Camp, South Australia was named after him. Image Michael D Booker Marhaba Tours |
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