Please refer also to the M.J.Hibberd Service History page for additional information relating to these photos.

 

Rear Gunner – Flight Sergeant Maxwell James Hibberd, 435342, RAAF, while based at 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Yorkshire, late 1944. He had been promoted to Flight Sergeant on 3 August 1944.

All photos on this page are from the M.J.Hibberd collection, unless noted otherwise.

 

 

Maxwell James Hibberd as Cadet 21115 with No. 3 Wing, 53 Squadron, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He joined the ATC (Air Training Corps) on 20 August 1942, so in this photo was aged about 17½.

This enrolment was terminated on 6 March 1943 on his 18th birthday, as he had volunteered for the RAAF as Aircrew.

Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9301, 435342

 

 

 

 

Maxwell James Hibberd, 435342, RAAF, mustered as Aircrew V at enlistment, classification Air Craftman 2, age 18 years and 1 month, height 5 feet 9½ inches, weight 136 lb.

 

 

 

 

Maxwell James Hibberd as Air Craftman 2 (A.C.2)

This photo was probably taken sometime soon after enlistment, mustering, classification & posting – all on 22 April 1943.

Maxwell James Hibberd as Air Craftman 2 (A.C.2)

This photo was probably taken sometime soon after enlistment, mustering, classification & posting – all on 22 April 1943.

 

 

 

No. 3 WAGS (Wireless & Air Gunnery School), Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. The group appears to have been playing basketball. The goalpost can be seen in the next photo below.

A.C.2 Maxwell James Hibberd is wearing overalls in the front row, far left. He was stationed at 3 WAGS from 22 June 1943 until 12 December 1943.

The other Airmen are not identified. If you can help with their identification, please advise using the Contact page.

 

 

 

No. 3 WAGS (Wireless & Air Gunnery School), Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. Basketball goalpost can be seen in the background.

A.C.2 Maxwell James Hibberd is on the left.

The 2nd Airman is not identified. If you can help with his identification, please advise using the Contact page.

 

 

 

No. 3 WAGS (Wireless & Air Gunnery School), Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

A.C.2 Maxwell James Hibberd is back row, 3rd from the right.

The other Airmen are not identified. If you can help with their identification, please advise using the Contact page.

 

 

 

 

No. 3 WAGS (Wireless & Air Gunnery School), Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

A.C.2 Maxwell James Hibberd

 

 

 

No. 3 WAGS (Wireless & Air Gunnery School), Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

A.C.2 Maxwell James Hibberd

 

No. 2 Embarkation Depot, Bradfield Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, February 1944. This was the final Australian posting after receiving Air Gunnery badge and promotion to Sergeant while at No.1 Air Gunnery School at West Sale, Victoria.

Photo taken at Luna Park, Sydney, Australia prior to embarkation by ship to the UK. This was a staged photo at the fun-park, in a fake bar with empty bottles.

In front of the bar, left – Sgt. M.J.Hibberd; right – Sgt.Flip/Phlip Harris.

Behind the bar, left – Sgt. Bob Wilson; right – Sgt. Bob Hetherington.

If you can help with information on Harris, Wilson or Hetherington, please advise using the Contact page.(Some information received 15 Sept 2009).

Please also see new information on the pages for Harris and Hetherington, and Wilson, or via the Other Personnel link.

 

 

 

 

Sgt Maxwell James Hibberd after receiving Air Gunnery Badge and promotion to Sergeant, 1944.

 

 

 

 

Flight Sergeant Maxwell James Hibberd and Sergeant Lucky Jones on leave in Scotland, in front of the Earl Haig Statue near Edinburgh Castle, in about September 1944. M.J.Hibberd was promoted to Flight Sergeant on 3 August 1944 while posted to 27 OTU, Church Broughton.

If you can help with more information on Sergeant Lucky Jones, please advise using the Contact page.

 

 

From left – Best Man Fl/Sgt Maxwell James Hibberd, Bridesmaid, Groom F/O N.V.Hibberd, Bride Muriel Bertha Allen, Bride's father.

On 10 February 1945, Fl/Sgt M.J.Hibberd acted as Best Man at the wedding of older brother Flying Officer Noel Victor Hibberd to Muriel Bertha Allen at Saint Michael’s Church of England, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK. Noel was a RAAF Pilot no longer on flying duties. He was previously flying Stirling Bombers, then Lancaster Bombers with RAF 218 Squadron, No. 3 Group, at Woolfox Lodge Air Base, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK.

Please refer to the F/O N.V.Hibberd page for his service history and additional photos, or via the Other Personnel link.

 

Former Warrant Officer Maxwell James Hibberd, age 38, in readiness for the Returned Servicemen's march in the ANZAC Day street parade on 25 April 1963, at Clermont, Queensland, Australia. He was promoted to Warrant Officer on 3 August 1945 after his repatriation to Australia.

He is wearing his original RAAF uniform, as well as his 5 Medals – 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45.

For more photos of this Airman in the UK, please visit the Locations pages.

to Crew page