Robert Gibbes, DSO, DFC and Bar, OAM - Fighter Ace of World War II and the longest serving wartime commanding officer of No. 3 Squadron RAAF.
Only son of Henry and Cora Gibbes. Husband of Jeannine (nee Ince) Gibbes.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 2 February, 1904.
Squadron Leader, Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, RAAF.
One of his pilots had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire while the Squadron was attacking an enemy airfield on 21 December 1942. He landed his Curtiss Kittyhawk by the wreckage and took the pilot into his own cockpit. Although a wheel was knocked off on take-off they got airborne safely and returned to base at Marble Arch, Libya where he managed a successful landing on one wheel.
After the war he spent many years in New Guinea developing local industry.
His autobiography, "You Live But Once", was published in 1994. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January, 2004 for "service to aviation and to tourism, particularly in Papua New Guinea".
He died of a stroke at Mona Vale Hospital, aged 90 years. He was cremated at the Macquarie Park Crematorium after a funeral service at St. Thomas' Anglican Church, North Sydney.
Only son of Henry and Cora Gibbes. Husband of Jeannine (nee Ince) Gibbes.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 2 February, 1904.
Squadron Leader, Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, RAAF.
One of his pilots had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire while the Squadron was attacking an enemy airfield on 21 December 1942. He landed his Curtiss Kittyhawk by the wreckage and took the pilot into his own cockpit. Although a wheel was knocked off on take-off they got airborne safely and returned to base at Marble Arch, Libya where he managed a successful landing on one wheel.
After the war he spent many years in New Guinea developing local industry.
His autobiography, "You Live But Once", was published in 1994. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January, 2004 for "service to aviation and to tourism, particularly in Papua New Guinea".
He died of a stroke at Mona Vale Hospital, aged 90 years. He was cremated at the Macquarie Park Crematorium after a funeral service at St. Thomas' Anglican Church, North Sydney.
Robert Gibbes, DSO, DFC and Bar, OAM - Fighter Ace of World War II and the longest serving wartime commanding officer of No. 3 Squadron RAAF.
Only son of Henry and Cora Gibbes. Husband of Jeannine (nee Ince) Gibbes.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 2 February, 1904.
Squadron Leader, Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, RAAF.
One of his pilots had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire while the Squadron was attacking an enemy airfield on 21 December 1942. He landed his Curtiss Kittyhawk by the wreckage and took the pilot into his own cockpit. Although a wheel was knocked off on take-off they got airborne safely and returned to base at Marble Arch, Libya where he managed a successful landing on one wheel.
After the war he spent many years in New Guinea developing local industry.
His autobiography, "You Live But Once", was published in 1994. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January, 2004 for "service to aviation and to tourism, particularly in Papua New Guinea".
He died of a stroke at Mona Vale Hospital, aged 90 years. He was cremated at the Macquarie Park Crematorium after a funeral service at St. Thomas' Anglican Church, North Sydney.
Only son of Henry and Cora Gibbes. Husband of Jeannine (nee Ince) Gibbes.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 2 February, 1904.
Squadron Leader, Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, RAAF.
One of his pilots had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire while the Squadron was attacking an enemy airfield on 21 December 1942. He landed his Curtiss Kittyhawk by the wreckage and took the pilot into his own cockpit. Although a wheel was knocked off on take-off they got airborne safely and returned to base at Marble Arch, Libya where he managed a successful landing on one wheel.
After the war he spent many years in New Guinea developing local industry.
His autobiography, "You Live But Once", was published in 1994. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January, 2004 for "service to aviation and to tourism, particularly in Papua New Guinea".
He died of a stroke at Mona Vale Hospital, aged 90 years. He was cremated at the Macquarie Park Crematorium after a funeral service at St. Thomas' Anglican Church, North Sydney.
Gravesite Details
Wing Commander, RAAF DSO, DFC and Bar & OAM
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