Subject

St. MIchael

Text

St. Michael

Inscription

Dedicated to the memory of our son Flight Officer H. John Gibbs and all the men of this church who made the supreme sacrifice in the 2nd World War 1939-45 Presented by Cr. And Mrs. H.J. Gibbs.

Description & History

The design for St. Michael was taken from the same subject depicted at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Oakleigh; in this version it was set against a leadlight background. The order for a window measuring approximately 132 x 27 inches with a 27 inch diameter tracery oculus above, was placed by Mr. Dawson in December 1953. The Air Force badge was set in the lower part of the leadlight and the tracery was filled with a chalice.

Harold John Gibbs was the son of Harold John and Ella Winifred Gibbs of Essendon. Gibbs joined the RAAF and along with many other Australians, served in 99 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, which was posted to India in February 1942. The Squadron flew Wellington Bombers initially then Consolidated Liberators later in the war. Twenty-one year old Flying Officer Griggs was with the crew of Liberator K6 HB217 when he was shot down over the Bay of Bengal on 23 April 1945; not long after the squadron was posted to the Cocos Islands for the remainder of the war.

References & Acknowledgements

AWM Commemorative Roll; NAA: A705, 166/15/455; http://www.99sqnassociation.co.uk/#/squadron-history/4555676813.