William Henry Kibby
Sergeant, 2nd/48th Battalion. * Australian Military Forces
- Register No.
- 694 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 2nd/48th Battalion. * Australian Military Forces (register: 2/48th Battalion, AIF) all 2/48th Battalion, AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 23–31 October 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 28th January, 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Born
- 15th April, 1903 at Winlaton, County Durham
- Died
- in action at Mateiriya Ridge, Libya
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra
- Medal held by
- the Australian War Memorial, Canberra,
Digest of citation
In the initial attack at Miteiriya Ridge, in the Western Desert between the 23rd/31st October, 1942, Sergeant Kibby greatly distinguished himself by leading the platoon after its commander had been killed. On 23rd October he silenced an enemy machine gun, killing three, and capturing 12 of the enemy. During the following days he directed fire and cheered his men on. He went out to repair the Platoon line communications on several occasions under intense enemy fire. On 30th/31st October in order to achieve the company's objective he went forward alone and threw grenades in order to destroy the enemy, who were only a few yards away. Just as success appeared imminent, he was killed in action
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KIBBY, William Henry. (reg No. 694).
Sergeant. 2nd/48th Battalion. * Australian Military Forces.
London Gazetted on 28th January, 1943.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Born on 15th April, 1903 at Winlaton, County Durham.
Killed in action at Mateiriya Ridge, Libya.
Memorial on grave at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Digest of Citation reads: In the initial attack at Miteiriya Ridge, in the Western Desert between the 23rd/31st October, 1942, Sergeant Kibby greatly distinguished himself by leading the platoon after its commander had been killed. On 23rd October he silenced an enemy machine gun, killing three, and capturing 12 of the enemy. During the following days he directed fire and cheered his men on. He went out to repair the Platoon line communications on several occasions under intense enemy fire. On 30th/31st October in order to achieve the company's objective he went forward alone and threw grenades in order to destroy the enemy, who were only a few yards away. Just as success appeared imminent, he was killed in action.
Australia.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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