Wing Commander R H M ("Bobby") Bobby Gibbes DSO DFC & Bar
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Wing Commander R H M ("Bobby") Bobby Gibbes DSO DFC & Bar
Photo acknowledgement to Temore Aviation Museum.
Wing Commander R H M "Bobby" Gibbes DSO DFC & Bar OAM[Redt]
1915 - 2007
War Hero, airline owner, hotelier, grazier, coffee grower and a bloody good bloke!
1915 - 2007
War Hero, airline owner, hotelier, grazier, coffee grower and a bloody good bloke!
Bobby passed away at 9.50 pm last night, following a stoke last Sunday morning. I think he was 92 years of age.
Before the war Bobby was a stock & station agent in northern NSW. During the war he served in North Africa, northern Australia and Asia, managing to get shot down twice but scored 10 1/4 "kills". A fact often not mentioned was that Gibbsie made Group Captain, then got Court Marshalled for flying booze from Darwin to Moratai - a noble deed, he should have been promoted, not demoted.
He was also recommended for a VC for an act in Italy, however it wasn't approved - but that is another story!
After the war, Bobby started Gibbes Sepik Airways in Papua New Guinea, mostly operating Noseman and Junkers JU52 aircraft. He sold out to Ansett in 1959.
During the 1950s and 60s, Bobby developed his coffee plantation, "Tremarne" near Mt Hagen. After the sale of GSA, Bobby built the Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka and other hotels in PNG.
Bobby leaves wife Jeannie and daughters Robin and Julie.
I'd imagine his welcome by Blackjack and Junior would be something to rival the days of old!!!
Sadly missed old mate.
Last edited by Torres; 12th Apr 2007 at 09:19.
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Very Sad.
Last time I saw Bobby was the day the above photo was taken at Scone, the day Col Pay flew his 'new' Kittyhawk. Bobby very politely reminded me I had left the 'e' off the end of 'Gibbes' on his name-tag and then called me, smiling, a 'bloody ignorant bastard!'
A top bloke who will be missed by all who knew him - an extraordinary life - vale
Last time I saw Bobby was the day the above photo was taken at Scone, the day Col Pay flew his 'new' Kittyhawk. Bobby very politely reminded me I had left the 'e' off the end of 'Gibbes' on his name-tag and then called me, smiling, a 'bloody ignorant bastard!'
A top bloke who will be missed by all who knew him - an extraordinary life - vale
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Spoke to Julie this evening. Funeral arrangements:
1.30 pm Tuesday, April 17, 2007. St Thomas Church of England, North Sydney.
After: Royal Price Alfred Yacht Club, Newport.
Not sure I got all that correct. Bit of an emotional phone call.
1.30 pm Tuesday, April 17, 2007. St Thomas Church of England, North Sydney.
After: Royal Price Alfred Yacht Club, Newport.
Not sure I got all that correct. Bit of an emotional phone call.
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Mods - any chance we could sticky this post at all - perhaps until after the funeral?
PPruNe has way too much negativity on it these days - as sad as his passing is, a life this fully lived should be reflected on and celebrated by everyone who values aviation.
I was privileged to meet him once at an air show whilst standing around in front of my Pig. Realising who it was just in time I called the other guys in the vicinity to attention and saluted him. You should have seen the bograts eyes widen when they discovered that this little old man was a fighter ace and war hero with 10+ kills.
For me, his life summons up images of derring do, amazing flying exploits and pioneering new frontiers in New Guinea.
He was truly one of the last of the great aviation pioneers that this country has produced - and the nation is the poorer for his passing.
Thank you WGCDR Gibbes.
SW
I was privileged to meet him once at an air show whilst standing around in front of my Pig. Realising who it was just in time I called the other guys in the vicinity to attention and saluted him. You should have seen the bograts eyes widen when they discovered that this little old man was a fighter ace and war hero with 10+ kills.
For me, his life summons up images of derring do, amazing flying exploits and pioneering new frontiers in New Guinea.
He was truly one of the last of the great aviation pioneers that this country has produced - and the nation is the poorer for his passing.
Thank you WGCDR Gibbes.
SW
Silly Old Git
Thanks for the lifts down the Waghi in a cigar smoke filled Twin Commanche with old "Paddy Gibbes" panting away on the back seat
Another time another world
RIP Bobby.
Another time another world
RIP Bobby.
Moderator
I have been advised of the passing of Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO, OBE, DFC, AFC. (1922 - 2007).
Squadron Leader Neville Duke was the Royal Air Force's top-scoring ace in the Mediterranean theatre in World War II. In 1953, he became holder of the world air speed record when he achieved 727.63 mph flying a Hawker Hunter F Mk3 over Littlehampton in the UK.
Link here to another PPRuNe forum.
Squadron Leader Neville Duke was the Royal Air Force's top-scoring ace in the Mediterranean theatre in World War II. In 1953, he became holder of the world air speed record when he achieved 727.63 mph flying a Hawker Hunter F Mk3 over Littlehampton in the UK.
Link here to another PPRuNe forum.
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I would commend the book "Sepik Pilot" (James Sinclair),
Lansdown Press SBN 7018 0323 1
The frontspiece reads:
"In memory of the good old days- to the men of Gibbes Sepik Airways".
Forgive me if I quote from chapter 9, Court Martial;
"On 19th April 1945, at Headquarters , First Tactical Air Force, RAAF, Morotai, W/C R. H. Gibbes (No 260714) DSO., DFC and Bar, was charged by court martial with being guilty of conduct to the prejudice of good order and Air Force discipline. He was accused of three offences under section 40 of the Air Force Act, of having in the months of February, March and April, 1945, at Morotai, attempted to sell, otherwise than in the course of his duty, a total of four bottles of gin, wine and whiskey. Although the date of the first offence alleged was clearly wrong-Gibbes was not even at Morotai in February- Gibbes pleaded guilty to the charges (foolishly, in the opinion of an experienced legal man who reached Morotai just after the conclusion of the hearing). He was convicted of all charges. The sentence of the Court was that Wing Commander Gibbes be reduced in rank to Flight Lieutenant. The sentence was varied by the Air Officer Commanding 1st TAF so as to read 'to be reduced to the rank of Squadron Leader'. This was confirmed to the accused on 23 April 1945. It goes on.
There is a void that I fear will never be filled in future history. We have forgotten the good old days.
RIP.
Lansdown Press SBN 7018 0323 1
The frontspiece reads:
"In memory of the good old days- to the men of Gibbes Sepik Airways".
Forgive me if I quote from chapter 9, Court Martial;
"On 19th April 1945, at Headquarters , First Tactical Air Force, RAAF, Morotai, W/C R. H. Gibbes (No 260714) DSO., DFC and Bar, was charged by court martial with being guilty of conduct to the prejudice of good order and Air Force discipline. He was accused of three offences under section 40 of the Air Force Act, of having in the months of February, March and April, 1945, at Morotai, attempted to sell, otherwise than in the course of his duty, a total of four bottles of gin, wine and whiskey. Although the date of the first offence alleged was clearly wrong-Gibbes was not even at Morotai in February- Gibbes pleaded guilty to the charges (foolishly, in the opinion of an experienced legal man who reached Morotai just after the conclusion of the hearing). He was convicted of all charges. The sentence of the Court was that Wing Commander Gibbes be reduced in rank to Flight Lieutenant. The sentence was varied by the Air Officer Commanding 1st TAF so as to read 'to be reduced to the rank of Squadron Leader'. This was confirmed to the accused on 23 April 1945. It goes on.
There is a void that I fear will never be filled in future history. We have forgotten the good old days.
RIP.
Thread Starter
Bob. I have the book somewhere, also Bobby's autobiography "You Live But Once" - and he sure did live a full life!!
My copy of his autobiography has the hand written notation:
"With my best wishes Bob. It is a great pity that we no longer have Junior to lead us astray. (signed) Bobby Gibbes 8th November 2002"
God knows why we needed Junior! Bobby managed to lead me astray on more occasions than I care to remember. At least when he owned "The Bird of Parasite" Hotel in Goroka, one could get smashed and follow the gutter home!
"Septic Pilot" was written by Jim Sinclair. I spoke to Jim on the phone yesterday - he's 79, just completed one book on Steamies, is returning to "The History of the Highlands" which he is part way through writing and has been commissioned to write the history of Port Morbid.
On the subject of the Court Marshal, there were three charged, from memory, Bobby, Blackjack (?) and Clive Caldwell and Bobby's charge related to sale of booze, not transporting in RAAF aircraft. Bobby reckoned it was a fair cop they only got him for three offenses.........
I scanned in a photo from Bobby's book, taken at home at Collaroy when he was building the CriCri in the living room.
It really used to p!55 Bobby off when I called it his twin engine lawn mower!!
I'm surprised it was a Tooheys. It was normally straight scotch and ice!
P.S. Just noticed the photos on the back wall. The one on the right is one of the Ju52's (VH-BUU, BUV, BUW) and the one on the left is the Norseman (VH-GSA?) supply dropping Jim Sinclair's patrol, shortly before Helli dropped it into Lake Kopiago after an engine failure.
My copy of his autobiography has the hand written notation:
"With my best wishes Bob. It is a great pity that we no longer have Junior to lead us astray. (signed) Bobby Gibbes 8th November 2002"
God knows why we needed Junior! Bobby managed to lead me astray on more occasions than I care to remember. At least when he owned "The Bird of Parasite" Hotel in Goroka, one could get smashed and follow the gutter home!
"Septic Pilot" was written by Jim Sinclair. I spoke to Jim on the phone yesterday - he's 79, just completed one book on Steamies, is returning to "The History of the Highlands" which he is part way through writing and has been commissioned to write the history of Port Morbid.
On the subject of the Court Marshal, there were three charged, from memory, Bobby, Blackjack (?) and Clive Caldwell and Bobby's charge related to sale of booze, not transporting in RAAF aircraft. Bobby reckoned it was a fair cop they only got him for three offenses.........
I scanned in a photo from Bobby's book, taken at home at Collaroy when he was building the CriCri in the living room.
It really used to p!55 Bobby off when I called it his twin engine lawn mower!!
I'm surprised it was a Tooheys. It was normally straight scotch and ice!
P.S. Just noticed the photos on the back wall. The one on the right is one of the Ju52's (VH-BUU, BUV, BUW) and the one on the left is the Norseman (VH-GSA?) supply dropping Jim Sinclair's patrol, shortly before Helli dropped it into Lake Kopiago after an engine failure.
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...and now for the conspiracy theory.
According to people you should know, (I think, but am not certain, that it was George Odgers in his Official History of the RAAF in WW2, Volume 2), the courts martial of Bobby Gibbes, Blackjack Walker and Clive Caldwell, all senior RAAF officers whose names were also very well known to the Australian public, was a complete stitch up, designed to take the spotlight off a public protest they had organised through a friendly Parliamentarian to put a stop to the totally useless offensive flight operations of the RAAF squadrons out of Moratai in 1945.
The RAAF Kittyhawk squadrons were losing pilots steadily in ground attacks on tactically and strategically useless Japanese-held islands that had been bypassed and had nothing of value on them apart from "an endless supply of anti aircraft ammunition" according to one of the others (I think Cadwell) court martialled along with Gibbes.
It would seem Gibbes and the others committed the most grievous of sins for a senior military officer - they tried to look after the men serving under them and not have them risk their lives unless it was for something worthwhile.
Their demise was exacerbated to a very large degree because of a wartime custom in the RAAF that went horribly, horribly wrong for the men who remained fighting at the front (and not just in this incident). If an officer, particularly a senior officer, was unable to ‘cut the mustard’ on operations, (and apparently, there were many), he was usually sent back to Australia to a desk job in Air Force Headquarters (the classic ‘sideways promotion’) – where, because he had recent experience ‘in theatre’, he usually became the resident expert on that theatre of operations and was all too often promoted into a position where he became senior to the man who had sacked him and sent him home.
Payback time.
Apparently there were quite a few such people back in Melbourne who took great delight in screwing Gibbes and the others, (I think) all of whom plead guilty to the old “Section 40” charge, (which, for those not familiar with it, (“conduct prejudicial to good discipline”) is almost impossible to beat, which is why it was the one slapped on them. They plead guilty because they were so utterly disenchanted with the System they had absolutely no respect for it and for the men who were overseeing it.
Sound familiar? Some things are timeless.
If you what to really get into a can of worms, there was the “two separate Air Forces” problem that plagued the RAAF at that time and I think played a part in this, i.e., those who followed AVM Jones and those who followed AVM Bostock.
If you want to go into that, we’d be here for days on end. The short version: Jones was assigned as CAS, but he was junior to Bostock, and the Brits wouldn’t let the Australians have a full Air Marshal, so the CAS remained the same rank as the man he’d bypassed – but lower down the stud list, and therefore in the Bostock’s (and many who agreed with him) eyes, he was still his junior. Throughout the whole war, there was another war -, and a very serious one - going on within the RAAF between the two camps, and it caused enormous problems.
Sound incredible? And incredibly petty? Check it out. It’s quite likely somewhere on Google.
According to people you should know, (I think, but am not certain, that it was George Odgers in his Official History of the RAAF in WW2, Volume 2), the courts martial of Bobby Gibbes, Blackjack Walker and Clive Caldwell, all senior RAAF officers whose names were also very well known to the Australian public, was a complete stitch up, designed to take the spotlight off a public protest they had organised through a friendly Parliamentarian to put a stop to the totally useless offensive flight operations of the RAAF squadrons out of Moratai in 1945.
The RAAF Kittyhawk squadrons were losing pilots steadily in ground attacks on tactically and strategically useless Japanese-held islands that had been bypassed and had nothing of value on them apart from "an endless supply of anti aircraft ammunition" according to one of the others (I think Cadwell) court martialled along with Gibbes.
It would seem Gibbes and the others committed the most grievous of sins for a senior military officer - they tried to look after the men serving under them and not have them risk their lives unless it was for something worthwhile.
Their demise was exacerbated to a very large degree because of a wartime custom in the RAAF that went horribly, horribly wrong for the men who remained fighting at the front (and not just in this incident). If an officer, particularly a senior officer, was unable to ‘cut the mustard’ on operations, (and apparently, there were many), he was usually sent back to Australia to a desk job in Air Force Headquarters (the classic ‘sideways promotion’) – where, because he had recent experience ‘in theatre’, he usually became the resident expert on that theatre of operations and was all too often promoted into a position where he became senior to the man who had sacked him and sent him home.
Payback time.
Apparently there were quite a few such people back in Melbourne who took great delight in screwing Gibbes and the others, (I think) all of whom plead guilty to the old “Section 40” charge, (which, for those not familiar with it, (“conduct prejudicial to good discipline”) is almost impossible to beat, which is why it was the one slapped on them. They plead guilty because they were so utterly disenchanted with the System they had absolutely no respect for it and for the men who were overseeing it.
Sound familiar? Some things are timeless.
If you what to really get into a can of worms, there was the “two separate Air Forces” problem that plagued the RAAF at that time and I think played a part in this, i.e., those who followed AVM Jones and those who followed AVM Bostock.
If you want to go into that, we’d be here for days on end. The short version: Jones was assigned as CAS, but he was junior to Bostock, and the Brits wouldn’t let the Australians have a full Air Marshal, so the CAS remained the same rank as the man he’d bypassed – but lower down the stud list, and therefore in the Bostock’s (and many who agreed with him) eyes, he was still his junior. Throughout the whole war, there was another war -, and a very serious one - going on within the RAAF between the two camps, and it caused enormous problems.
Sound incredible? And incredibly petty? Check it out. It’s quite likely somewhere on Google.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Wiley; Don't have to check any of your post on Google as I've heard it all before over the years from various sources, nearly all of whom were pilots in the same place and time as Bobby.
And every single one of these very brave men with whom I spoke of these times all said very much the same as to what you referred to above!!
It really makes you wonder at times as to how the war in the Pacific was won given the ineptitude of the higher command at times, but what is really upsetting, to me anyway, is wondering just how many lives were lost in actions that really had no effect on the eventual outcome of the war!
And every single one of these very brave men with whom I spoke of these times all said very much the same as to what you referred to above!!
It really makes you wonder at times as to how the war in the Pacific was won given the ineptitude of the higher command at times, but what is really upsetting, to me anyway, is wondering just how many lives were lost in actions that really had no effect on the eventual outcome of the war!
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Another brilliant and brave Airman has left us. God bless him and give him clearance all the way home.
It stuck me that Mrs Loco and I may have actually got something right at the Waverley RSL in Melbourne after the funeral for my father who was a LAME for the RAAF before TAA.
One son - the shortass 6'4" eldest boy was doing the rounds with food platters talking to neighbours and rels he had never met, but Casey - the 6"7.5" underachiever (not) was found in a circle of WW2 bomber command and crew totally wrapt in discussion. I did dally and was amazed at the depth and perception of the questions he was asking them and even more amazed with his ability to absorb and comment on the answers he was recieving. The old boys loved him and Daniel and Casey still stand amazed with what they did in Lancasters, Blenhiems, Beaufighters and the like.
Casey and Daniel were born airline brats and as such are tainted, but they do know who made their world the way it is today and waht sacrifices they made.
God bless you Bobby Gibbes. My life is significantly lessend for not having met you.
Clear two Bobby.
EWL
It stuck me that Mrs Loco and I may have actually got something right at the Waverley RSL in Melbourne after the funeral for my father who was a LAME for the RAAF before TAA.
One son - the shortass 6'4" eldest boy was doing the rounds with food platters talking to neighbours and rels he had never met, but Casey - the 6"7.5" underachiever (not) was found in a circle of WW2 bomber command and crew totally wrapt in discussion. I did dally and was amazed at the depth and perception of the questions he was asking them and even more amazed with his ability to absorb and comment on the answers he was recieving. The old boys loved him and Daniel and Casey still stand amazed with what they did in Lancasters, Blenhiems, Beaufighters and the like.
Casey and Daniel were born airline brats and as such are tainted, but they do know who made their world the way it is today and waht sacrifices they made.
God bless you Bobby Gibbes. My life is significantly lessend for not having met you.
Clear two Bobby.
EWL
Thread Starter
Bobby never spoke much of the Court Marshal but in later life thought it was a bit "of a giggle", although I think he was hurt inside. He did speak on the animosity between "the regulars" and the reserves called up or conscripted for the duration.
"Later, after I submitted an application requesting my discharge from the Air Force, I was informed by the Air Commodore that Caldwell had written an unfavourable report on my administrative ability. I was never shown this document or informed by Clive that he had done this, and I am rather of the opinion this information was given to me in an endeavour to persuade me to withdraw my application for the termination of commission. I find it hard to understand why Clive would have written such a report.........
I doubt that Clive knew enough of my administrative experience to make any adverse comments, and if he had in fact done this, I am unable to fathom what his motives would have been. I never did discuss the matter with him. I have a great regard for Caldwell and we have remained good friends. While he was undergoing court-marshal, I tried to help by writing an article which was given full front page coverage in the Sunday Telegraph, Feb 10, 1945 and was headed "Tribute to Caldwell. There's no Glamour in in Air Warfare". Too bloody true."
And
"I have often wondered why two highly decorated wartime officers were dealt with so harshly. Was it possibly because we had achieved greater success than most permanent officers and this had caused resentment among some who, perhaps through lack of opportunity, has achieved absolutely nothing."
"Later, after I submitted an application requesting my discharge from the Air Force, I was informed by the Air Commodore that Caldwell had written an unfavourable report on my administrative ability. I was never shown this document or informed by Clive that he had done this, and I am rather of the opinion this information was given to me in an endeavour to persuade me to withdraw my application for the termination of commission. I find it hard to understand why Clive would have written such a report.........
I doubt that Clive knew enough of my administrative experience to make any adverse comments, and if he had in fact done this, I am unable to fathom what his motives would have been. I never did discuss the matter with him. I have a great regard for Caldwell and we have remained good friends. While he was undergoing court-marshal, I tried to help by writing an article which was given full front page coverage in the Sunday Telegraph, Feb 10, 1945 and was headed "Tribute to Caldwell. There's no Glamour in in Air Warfare". Too bloody true."
And
"I have often wondered why two highly decorated wartime officers were dealt with so harshly. Was it possibly because we had achieved greater success than most permanent officers and this had caused resentment among some who, perhaps through lack of opportunity, has achieved absolutely nothing."
Thread Starter
EWL. If your sons are 6'4" and 6"7.5", they'd need a bloody long distance phone to communicate with Gibbsie.
Even I tower over him - in high heels I doubt he'd top 5' 4"!!
Even I tower over him - in high heels I doubt he'd top 5' 4"!!
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Yes Torres, they may have been way over him but have you ever seen a younger large puppy dog defer to a smaller old puppy dog?
It was so good to see the boys pay due deference to their gbetter/forefathers/heroes. Respect is not automatic, but in this case it was earned and acknowledged.
Casey at his immese height was hunkering down in his seat to be at the same level as they chatted.
He got just a hint of the moments of pure terror they went through, and a good sense of the tense nothingness at other times.
We must make sure that the legacy of these amazing men is never lost.
They are fading fast.
EWL
It was so good to see the boys pay due deference to their gbetter/forefathers/heroes. Respect is not automatic, but in this case it was earned and acknowledged.
Casey at his immese height was hunkering down in his seat to be at the same level as they chatted.
He got just a hint of the moments of pure terror they went through, and a good sense of the tense nothingness at other times.
We must make sure that the legacy of these amazing men is never lost.
They are fading fast.
EWL
Thread Starter
Yes Messiah. But did you know that with the Power of PPRuNe we got Bobby an Order of Australia a couple of years ago? That was "Bobby's Gong" - at last Australia's recognised his achievements.
And did you know that for this escapade, Bobby was nominated for a Victoria Cross, but the Poms rejected the nomination because at that time in the war, no RAF pilot had been awarded the VC?
And then he was Court Marshalled for flogging a few bottles of booze. Mind you, later in life he became a publican and made an art form of flogging booze - and consuming a fair amount of the profits!
And did you know that for this escapade, Bobby was nominated for a Victoria Cross, but the Poms rejected the nomination because at that time in the war, no RAF pilot had been awarded the VC?
And then he was Court Marshalled for flogging a few bottles of booze. Mind you, later in life he became a publican and made an art form of flogging booze - and consuming a fair amount of the profits!