Sadly I have to inform you that Kiwi Gibbons passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday at 1 pm, at Fairview Nursing Home, Pinjarra Hills, Brisbane.
Marco “Kiwi” Gibbons, OAM enlisted originally in New Zealand K-Force in 1953 during the Korean War. He moved to Australia in 1954 and transferred to the Australian Army in 1956. He served with 3 RAR as a Tracker during the Malayan Emergency. Kiwi went on to serve with 2 RAR on both tours of Vietnam and was Mentioned in Dispatches on each deployment. He has served in 1, 2 and 3 RAR. Kiwi Gibbons retired from the Army as an RSM.
Kiwi has a long history of voluntary involvement with associations, particularly 2 RAR, 3 RAR, RSL Queensland, RAR Association Queensland, and the RAR National Memorial Walk, where he was curator from its inception. In 2012, both Kiwi and his wife Margaret were honored with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to veterans and their families.
Both Marco and his wife Margaret are Life Members of the Association for their dedication and support to the association over many years.
Further details will be passed on as they become available.
Malcolm Gray – 2 RARA Secretary
Homeward Bound – by George Mansford
For our mates
I saw the shooting star burning so bright
Falling, falling, fading and soon from sight
So distant and yet so near
In its wake, a soldier’s journey so very clear
Duty, sharing, caring, courage and sometimes fear
No longer a mortal in life’s short race
A contented spirit bound for home somewhere in distant space
This fiery trail I saw tonight marks a warrior’s farewell
Leaving behind another legacy of proud deeds to tell
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