Leo Gibbs

Leo Gibbs

Personal Information
Date of Birth	13 Jul 1920
Place of Birth	Boulder, Western Australia
Death	1 Aug 1997, aged 77
Place of Death	Subiaco, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 10 months
Description	6'2" (1.88m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair
Occupation	Timber worker
Religion	Church of England
Address	Karragullen, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Ila Gibbs
Military Information
Reg Number	WX21744
Date of Enlistment	2 Jun 1942
Rank	Gunner
Unit/Formation	2/3rd Australian Field Regiment
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	5 Nov 1944 ‒ 13 Nov 1944
Transport Details	HMT Katoomba Townsville to Aitape, New Guinea
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	13 Oct 1945 ‒ 26 Oct 1945
Transport Details	HMT Katoomba Wewak, New Guinea to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Leo enlisted at the Claremont Recruit Reception Depot on 2 Jun 1942 and was sent for General Reinforcements training at Northam on 6 June. On 11 Jun 1942 he was detached for Guard Duty until 18 Sep 1042 when he was granted Leave without Pay until 24 Sep 1942. On 2 Dec 1942 Leo was posted to the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion. Leo was admitted to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance from 12 Dec until16 Dec 1942 and treated for a Furnuncle on his right cheek. At Point Walter on 7 Jan 1943 Leo was charged with having been AWOL fro midnight 2 Jan 1943 until midnight 3 Jan 1943 for which he was admonished and forfeited a days pay. On 12 Jul 1943 Leo was charged wiuth having been AWOL, from midnight 10 July until 4:00pm on 12 Jul 1943, for whjich he was fined £1/10/0 ($3 or 6 days pay). AWOL again from 8:00am 16 Jul 1943 until 6:00pm on 19 Jul 1943, he was fined £4 and forfeited 4 days pay.

On 20 Jul 1943 Leo entrained in Perth for Queensland. He was again AWOL, this time from 8:00am 27 May 1944 until 9:45am 7 Jun 1944 incuring a fine of £5 and 14 days pay together with automatic forfeiture of another 12 days pay, Twice he had been granted Proficiency Pay, only to have it withdrawn the next time he went AWOL. Finally he was transferred from the 2/11th Battalion to the 2/3rd Australian Field Regiment on 2 Aug 1944. On 3 Nov 1944 Leo was charged with Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, earning him a fine of 10/- (2 days pay).

Two days later on 5 Nov 1944 he embarked on HMT Katoomba in Townsville for Aitape in New Guinea. On 8 Dec 1944 he was granted proficiency pay for the third time. On 24 Feb 1945 Leo was evacuated to the 104th Australian Casualty Clearing Station with an unknown infection (later diagnosed as Dengue Fever and Tinea. He returned to his unit on 6 Mar 1945. Ill again, on 2 Jul 1945 he was admitted to the 2/1st Australian Field Ambulance with Malaria, rejoining his unit on 17 Jul 1945. On 13 Oct 1945 Leo was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot and in order to do so on 13 Oct 1945 he embarked on the HMT Katoomba in Wewak, New Guinea for Brisbane where he disembarked on 26 Oct 1945. He then travelled by train to Perth and was discharged on 15 Nov 1945.

Post War

During 1941 Bill married Ila Jessie Woods (1921- 27 Nov 1990). Electoral Roll entries: 1943 at 50 View street, Perth, truck driver; 1949 at Bindoon, timber worker; 1954 at Lower Chittering, timber worker; 1958 - 1963 at 3 Claisbrook road, East Perth, timber worker; 1968 - 1980 at 51 Arkwell street, Willagee, inspector