Te Rauwhiro Tibble
Born 24 Oct 1913
- Service number
- 802236 AWMM
- Also known as
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- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
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- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 24 Oct 1913 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
- GisbornePublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 8 December 2024 - https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KVFX-1QR/te-rau-whiro-tibble-1912-1996
- Birth notes
- Son of Pineamine Waipapa Taotu Tibble & Riparata KururangiPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 8 December 2024 - https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KVFX-1QR/te-rau-whiro-tibble-1912-1996
- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM Tikitiki, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Mrs M. Tibble (wife), Tikitiki, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 21 Jul 1943 AWMM Married AWMM
- In 1935 Te Rauwhiro Tibble married Mihi Keita NgataPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 8 December 2024 - https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KVFX-1QR/te-rau-whiro-tibble-1912-1996
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
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- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 802236 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
18 Oct 1945 AWMM
Lt. Tibble commanded an anti-tank platoon of 28 (Maori) Battalion during the attack on Canal di Lugo on 10 April 1945. His platoon was supporting the attacking companies whose task was to advance over the canal which was strongly defended by four enemy machine-gun posts and one 105mm gun. The presence of this gun prevented the advance of our supporting tanks and its neutralisation was essential. Under heavy machine gun fire Lt. Tibble skilfully manoeuvred one of his anti-tank guns forward of the attacking companies and with complete disregard for his personal safety sited the gun and opened fire on the enemy position. The first round registered a direct hit on the enemy gun and destroyed it. This action enabled our tanks to move forward covering the advancing infantry who gained their objective. Later when the advance reached Santerno River Lt. Tibble, displaying determination and resourcefulness, improvised a bridge across the river whilst under heavy concentrations of mortar and shell fire and man-handled his two guns and ammunition over 1,000 yards forward to provide anti-tank protection for the forward defended lines. During the engagement four enemy Tiger tanks approached the position but were forced to retreat when engaged by Lt. Tibble's guns, the presence of which was a definite factor in maintaining the morale of the Battalion at a high level. During the attack on Massa Lombarda the following day. Tiger tanks again held up the advance. Under heavy machine-gun, mortar and shell fire Lt. Tibble manoeuvred one of his guns forward of the rifle companies and personally manned the gun and engaged the enemy tanks, one of which caught fire from a direct hit and the others retreated out of range. During this engagement Lt. Tibble's gun received a direct hit by an enemy shell, killing one of his crew and wounding the other. Throughout the campaign, Lt. Tibble's conduct has been an inspiration to all Maori troops, his utter disregard for his own personal safety, fearlessness and courage in the face of the enemy, and his qualities of leadership and character have been of the highest order. (London Gazette 18/10/1945 (I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Tibble, Te Rauwhiro. (Ref. WO 373/14/242). Military Cross. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Drover/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Vessel was Nieuw Amsterdam AWMM Sergeant AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
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Last known rank
- Last rank
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- Last rank
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Biographical information
- Lt Te R. W. Tibble, MC, m.i.d.; Te Araroa; born NZ 24 Oct 1913; drover; twice wounded. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.465.)
'On 5 Brigade front the village of Sant Agata east of Massa Lombarda was both holding up 23 Battalion and preventing the engineers from working on a bridge in the Maori area. Under the circumstances the oncoming night was nothing to look forward to. But help, if only in a small way, was at hand.
It will be remembered that Lieutenant Tibble had been given the job of thinking up ways and means of getting at least two anti-tank guns over the river to strengthen the bridgehead during that fateful period before armoured support was available. The anti-tank platoon had estimated the width of the river and the problem of producing stringers from somewhere was solved by dragging four rafters out of a demolished house. These were loaded on to a portée and, as soon as the troops left the start line, the vehicle, dragging two guns as well, followed on their heels to the foot of the first stopbank. No. 15 Platoon, previously detailed to assist, helped to carry the stringers to the river and get them across the water. The guns were then hauled over the two banks to the water's edge and manœuvred across to the far side. The ammunition was carried across and the guns practically lifted over the far bank and into the shelter of the trees. For almost a mile the two crews hauled and pushed the weapons up to the FDLs. One gun was ready for action in each company before dusk. It was a feat that excited the admiration of the Division when it became known. For this and previous exploits Lieutenant Tibble was awarded the MC.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p. 465) AWMM
About death
- Death
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- Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
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- Death notes
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- Cemetery
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- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Further Reference - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.html
Further Reference - 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 18 October 1945, p.5102.). Military Cross.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37310/supplements/5102
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Tibble, Te Rauwhiro. (Ref. WO 373/14/242). Military Cross.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7355679
Further Reference
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 12: WW2 193 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.465 - Kay, R. (1967). Italy. Volume 2. From Cassino to Trieste. Dept. of Internal Affairs, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, N.Z.
pp.426, 431.
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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