GIBSON, Graham Ian
| Service Number: | 290657 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 January 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 23 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia, 23 January 1916 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Gasmata, New Britain, Pacific Islands, 11 February 1942, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Rabaul Memorial, Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Rabaul Memorial, South Perth Wesley College Lych Gate |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 290657 | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 290657, Aircrew Training Units | |
| 8 Jan 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 290657 | |
| 11 Feb 1942: | Involvement Flying Officer, 290657, No. 23 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 |
Help us honour Graham Ian Gibson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Lockheed Hudson A16-126 was shot down near Gasmata in New Britain during a strike on Japanese shipping - all of the crew were classified as killed and are commemorated on the Rabaul Memorial
Sergeant Arthur Edward Quail 404748
Flying Officer Graham Ian Gibson 290657 (657)
Flying Officer Barton Irvine Coutie 405543
Pilot Officer Frank Leslie Oliver Thorn 401471
Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Graham Ian Gibson was married to Betty Bird in Melbourne during February 1941. He was a Flying Officer at the time and stationed in Queensland. He was the father of a son, Tony Gibson, who was only six weeks of age when his father died.
Gibson was the pilot of a Hudson bomber which was shot down and crashed into the jungle inland from Gasmata on New Britain. All four RAAF servicemen on board died. On May 5, 2008 the crash site was discovered in the jungle on New Britain. On the rear fuselage was the serial number "A16-126" confirming the identity of the aircraft. On June 29, 2008 the discovery was officially acknowledge by the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
His brother, WX10994 Private Norman Allen Gibson 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion died of illness as a prisoner of war of the Japanese in Borneo on 24 June 1945.
The brothers were the sons of Frank Norman and Ebba Gibson of Perth, Western Australia.
Click images to start slideshow.