Reginald Joshua (Josiah) Hibberd

Reginald Joshua (Josiah) Hibberd was born on 6th October 1885 in Elmhurst, Victoria, to Reuben Hibberd and Fanny, nee Whinton. He was one of eight children in the family.

On 28th December 1911, Reginald joined the Victorian Police. In 1912, he was stationed at the Police Barracks in Russell St., Melbourne. The following year, he was transferred to Corryong Police Station.

On 2nd August 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 30-year-old Police Constable from Corryong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 3346 and placed in the 11th Reinforcements for the 8th Battalion. Reginald gave his next of kin as brother, George Hibberd, a teacher at Toorak State School. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A71 Nestor at Adelaide, SA, on 11th October 1915.&

During his enlistment period, he was also a member of the 6th Battalion, being transferred to that unit on 22nd February 1916. He would remain with the Battalion at the Western Front for the remainder of the war. On 31st March 1919, he returned to Australia aboard the SS Khyber, with the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged on 14th July 1919, being awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Back in Australia, Reginald remained a member of Victoria Police. He married Minni Beatrice Helen McPherson on the 11th October 1922 at East Brunswick. The couple would have three daughters, Frances, Majorie and Phyllis.  In 1943, he was still a constable in the Police Force, living at 48 Moore St, Coburg, with his family. He unexpectedly passed away on Christmas Eve, 1947, in Melbourne, Victoria and was buried in Fawkner Memorial Park, Fawkner, Victoria.