Early Career
Born in Young, a rural community in New South Wales, Gibbes came from an old colonial family. His great-grandfather, Colonel John George Nathaniel Gibbes, built his residence "Wotonga" at Kirribilli; the property was later refurbished to become Sydney's Admiralty House. Gibbes' grandfather, Augustus Onslow Manby Gibbes, owned Yarralumla station, now the official residence of Australia's Governor-General. His father, Henry Edmund Gibbes, was a grazier. Gibbes attended All Saints College in Bathurst and became a jackaroo after leaving school.
Gibbes was working as a salesman when he joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in February 1940, having exaggerated his height, which was below the minimum requirement, to gain entrance. He was commissioned a pilot officer in June, following flying training at RAAF Station Point Cook, Victoria. Rated an "above average" fighter pilot, he served initially with No. 23 Squadron in Australia. He was promoted to flying officer in December 1940.
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