William (Bill) Kibby VC
Full name: William Henry Kibby, VC
Born:15 April 1903
Winlaton, Durham United Kingdom
Died: 31 October 1942 El Alamein Egypt
Occupation: Plaster designer
Education: Mitcham Public School, Kingswood, South Australia
Fate: Killed in action
Highest rank: Sergeant
Enlistment: 29 June 1940
Decorations/ commendations: Victoria Cross (VC), 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Australia Service Medal 1939-45
Service: Australian Imperial Force
Service Number: SX7089
Conflict: World War II 1939-1945
Military event: Battle of El Alamein 1942, Syrian Campaign, Tel el Eisa
Unit: 2/48th Australian Infantry Battalion
William 'Bill' Kibby received his Victoria Cross for 'outstanding courage and tenacity' at El Alamein, Egypt, in 1942. He risked his own life over several days, facing German machine guns, tanks and artillery fire. Kibby was killed in action and never got to see his beloved wife and daughters again.
Early life
William Kibby was born in Winlaton, Durham, in England's north. He was 11 when he migrated to Australia with his 2 sisters and parents, John and Mary Kibby. The family lived in Adelaide where William went to school.
After finishing his education, Kibby worked at a local plaster manufacturer in Edwardstown. Kibby's job was to design and install plaster decorations in homes and buildings.
Kibby married Mabel Sarah Bidmead in 1926 when he was 23 and Mabel was 19. They had 2 daughters together.
Kibby was a talented amateur artist and enjoyed playing golf. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. According to biographer Bill Gammage, friends said Kibby had often told them all he wanted was to return home safely to his wife and girls.
War service
Kibby enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 29 June 1940. He was 37 and had spent 4 years in the citizens' militia.
After basic military training, Kibby was promoted to acting corporal, then acting sergeant. Just before he embarked for war overseas, Kibby was confirmed as a sergeant on 17 November 1940.
Kibby joined the 2/48th Australian Infantry Battalion in Palestine in December. He did not see action for more than a year after he broke his leg falling in a trench.
Kibby rejoined the 2/48th Battalion in February 1942. He served in Syria and Tel el Eisa, where West Australian Private Arthur 'Stan' Gurney was also awarded a posthumous VC.
In October, Kibby and his unit took part in the Second Battle of El Alamein. More than 1,200 Australians died at El Alamein and 3 Victoria Crosses were awarded (all 3 were posthumous):
Stan Gurney
Percy Gatwick
William Kibb
Kibby earned his VC over several days of fierce fighting. He assumed command of his platoon when its commander was killed. Kibby was killed by machinegun fire on 31 October 1942. He died attempting to single-handedly attack the enemy.
Victoria Cross
