Kibby VC Rest Area
Yarra, NSW
Hume Highway (A31)
At a Glance
Victoria Cross Recipient
Sergeant William Henry Kibby VC
2/48th Infantry Battalion
William Henry Kibby was born at Winlaton, County Durham, England, on 15 April 1903. His family emigrated to South Australia in early 1914, and he grew up in Adelaide. He worked as a clerk before enlisting in the Second Australian Imperial Force in 1940, joining the 2/48th Infantry Battalion — the same South Australian unit in which Derrick and Gurney also served.
During the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942, Sergeant Kibby performed a series of courageous actions over a nine-day period from 23 to 31 October. On 23 October, during the initial assault at Miteiriya Ridge, he led his section through intense fire and, when his platoon commander was killed, took charge and pressed the attack home. In subsequent actions he dashed forward firing his Thompson sub-machine gun, silencing an enemy post, killing three of the enemy and capturing twelve others. Throughout the battle he displayed inspiring leadership and utter disregard for his own safety. On the night of 30–31 October 1942, Kibby was killed by machine-gun fire while leading yet another attack.
Kibby was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His commanding officer wrote that his work throughout the battle 'was an inspiration to all.' He was thirty-nine years old and is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.
Born 15 April 1903, Winlaton, England. Died 31 October 1942, El Alamein, Egypt.
References
Remembrance Driveway
Stop 11 of 20 along the Remembrance Driveway
View all 20 stops
- Sir Roden Cutler VC Rest Area
- Partridge VC Rest Area Southbound
- Kenna VC Rest Area
- Keith Payne VC Rest Area
- Gordon VC Rest Area
- Mackey VC Rest Area
- Kingsbury VC Rest Area
- Chowne VC Rest Area
- Derrick VC Rest Area
- French VC Rest Area
- Kibby VC Rest Area
- Edmondson VC Rest Area
- Gratwick VC Rest Area
- Gurney VC Rest Area
- Badcoe VC Rest Area
- Wheatley VC Rest Area
- Anderson VC Rest Area
- Middleton VC Rest Area
- Newton VC Rest Area
- Edwards VC Rest Area
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Toilets(3)
Groceries(3)
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