Ivan Alderwin Hibbert
He was a silk frame worker (hosier) in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Ivan Hibbert was the son of George Stephen and Hannah Hibbert and the brother of George Stephen, Grenville, Jean, Colin, Gordon and Maureen Hibbert. In 1921, the family lived at 9, Regent Street, Sutton in Ashfield. Ivan Hibbert and Edna Gelsthorpe married in 1937. In 1939, they lived at Shirley, Carnarvon, Grove Street, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in the summer of 1944 so (obviously) never knew her father.
MARISSEL FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY Grave 317.
635 was an 8 Group Pathfinder squadron tasked with target marking ahead of the main force. 4/8/1944 they were part of a 291 aircraft attack by 6 and 8 Groups (169 Halifaxes, 112 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitoes) on the Bois de Cassan and Trossy-St Maxim V1 Flying Bomb storage sites.
Hibbert was the bomb aimer aboard Lancaster III ND811, one of two Lancasters lost on the Trossy-St Maxim raid. Taking off from Downham Market at 11.15, they were hit by flak which knocked out both starboard engines, mortally wounding Hibbert and injuring Flight Sergeant Vernon Victor Leeder the mid-upper gunner
Hibbert’s Canadian captain, Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby Bazalgette DFC managed to fly his blazing plane to successfully mark and bomb the target before the aircraft went into a steep dive almost out of control. The pilot regained control long enough for four crew members Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Goddard (Nav), Flying Officer Douglas Cameron DFM MID (RG) (who briefly joined the Maquis), Flying Officer Charles Randall Godfrey DFC (W/Op) and Sergeant George Richard Turner (Flt/Eng) to bale out. Unusually, they all became Evaders (avoiding capture).
Bazalgette then made a crash landing in an attempt to save Hibbert and Leeder who was overcome by smoke or fumes. The aircraft exploded killing all three still on board.
Squadron Leader Bazalgette was awarded a posthumous VC for his immense courage during this action.
Whilst serving with 10 Squadron, Hibbert was awarded the DFC 30/11/1943. The citation read:
"As air bomber, Pilot Officer Hibbert has participated in very many sorties and has displayed great skill, coolness and devotion to duty. On several occasions his aircraft has been damaged by enemy action but, unperturbed, Pilot Officer Hibbert has executed his bombing tasks with accuracy and determination. He has displayed great confidence throughout, setting a very fine example."
French villagers gaze at the wreck of Lancaster III ND811 in which Ivan Hibbert lost his life.
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/for-valour-ian-willpughby-bazalgette/
Ivan Alderwin Hibbert
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/for-valour-ian-willpughby-bazalgette/
Lancaster III ND811’s usual crew L to R: Ian Bazalgette, Geoff Goddard, Ivan Hibbert, Chuck Godfrey, Bob Hurnhall (replaced by Vernon Leeder on 4/8/1944), Douglas Cameron and George Turner.
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/for-valour-ian-willpughby-bazalgette/
Ivan Alderwin Hibbert's widow Edna, accompanied by her father in law, outside Buckingham Palace having received Ivan's DFC from King George VI.
Photo: Nottingham Evening Post 2/2/1946