Five: Lieutenant Commander N. H. Hibbs, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. N. H. Hibbs. R.N.V.R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Norman Hibbs.) mounted for display, with Poole Rotary International Past President’s Jewel, silver-gilt and enamel, generally very fine £160-£200

Norman Hadley Hibbs was commissioned Temporary Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in October 1915, and was posted to the Motor Boat Reserve. The following month he was posted service with the Motor Fishing Boat Bon Ami, and between 1916 and 1917 served with the following ML’s: 133; 243; 422 and 433. During this time he had ‘three “Close Shaves”. Singularly enough his narrowest escapes in the service were experienced in Poole Harbour where he had three “close shaves” in one day. Two officers had stepped aboard a launch and Mr Hibbs was following them when the vessel blew up. He was blown back on shore and the other two were seriously injured. An hour or two later he encountered a submarine outside the harbour when his depth charge failed to explode. Another launch dropped a second charge, and both exploded at once and nearly blew his launch out of the water. That evening he had returned to Poole when he was struck in the chest by the jib of a crane which badly tore his clothes but did not injure him.’ (copied newspaper cutting included with lot refers). Having advanced to Temporary Lieutenant, Hibbs was demobilised in November 1919. He re-engaged for service during the Second World War as a Temporary Acting Lieutenant Commander, and commanded H.M.S. Turtle (Poole).

Hibbs was the President of the Poole Rotary Club, and was elected Sheriff of Poole in 1930. In civilian life he was a Chartered Surveyor and Auctioneer, who resided at 2 Bournemouth Road, Lower Parkstone. Hibbs was also the Commodore of The Hamworthy and Bournemouth Sailing Club, which was to become Poole Yacht Club.