"Kibby" ZJ 1/968

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE Of TUESDAY, the 26th of JANUARY, 1943

Published By Authority Registered as a newspaper THURSDAY, 28 JANUARY, 1943

War Office, 28th January, 1943.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve posthumous awards of the VICTORIA CROSS to the undermentioned: —

No. SX 7089 Sergeant William Henry Kibby, Australian Military Forces. During the initial attack at Miteiriya Ridge on the 23rd October, 1942, the Commander of No. 1-7 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 realized the necessity for quick decisive action, and without thought for his personal safety he dashed forward towards the enemy posts 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 the 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 attack 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 arid mended the platoon line communications, thus allowing mortar concentrations to be directed effectively against the attacks 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 the 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 the memory of a soldier who fearlessly and unselfishly fought to the end to carry out his duty.

No. WX 10426 Private Percival Eric Gratwick, Australian Military Forces. During the attack on TRIG 29 at Miteiriya Ridge on the night of the 25th-26th October, 1942, the Company to which Private Gratwick belonged met with severe opposition from strong enemy positions which delayed the capture of the Company's objective-and caused a considerable number of casualties. Private Gratwick's Platoon was directed at these strong positions but its advance-was stopped by intense enemy fire at short range. Withering fire of all kinds killed .the platoon commander, the platoon sergeant and many other ranks, and reduced the total strength of the Platoon to seven. Private Gratwick grasped the seriousness of the situation and acting on his own initiative, with utter disregard-for his own safety, at a time when the remainder of 'the Platoon were pinned down, charged the nearest post and completely destroyed the enemy with hand grenades, killing amongst others a complete mortar ‘.crew. As soon as this task was completed,