Senley Louis Stephen (Zen) GIBBS

GIBBS, Senley Louis Stephen

Service Number: 16714
Enlisted: 8 June 1940
Last Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Last Unit: No. 1 Aircraft Depot Laverton
Born: Perth, Western Australia, 12 January 1912
Home Town: Perth, Western Australia
Schooling: Christian Brothers College
Occupation: Painter
Died: Busselton, Western Australia, 1 March 1992, aged 80 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Bunbury General Cemetery, Bunbury, Western Australia
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

8 Jun 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 16714, No. 1 Aircraft Depot Laverton
1 Jan 1941: Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman
19 Aug 1942: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 16714
Date unknown: Involvement Leading Aircraftman, 16714, 1 Embarkation Depot

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Biography contributed by Chris Buckley

Zet was the second of eleven children of Louis John Gibbs (born 1886 in Canning, WA) and first wife Edna (Kate) Kathleen Weir (born 1888 in Milparinka, NSW). Louis (a Civil Servant  Clerk with the PWD) and Kate married in 1908 in Perth, WA, where they settled to raise their family. 

Zet was eighteen years of age when his mother died, and was working as a Painter in Perth, WA. In 1937 he married Bidelia Kathleen Delaney (born 1912 in Perth, WA) - Bidelai was a Shop Assistant in East Perth.

In June 1940 Zet enlisted in the RAAF (his RAAF records have his first name as Stephen). Zet was an Aircraftman (Service No:16714) and served at Laverton and Ascot Vale. He was a Leading Aircraftman attached to 1 Aircraft Depot Laverton when he was Discharged in August 1942 (Medical Discharge). Two brothers and four Brothers-in-Law also served in WWII.

Zet and Bidelia lived in Melbourne where Zet was a Metal Worker, before returning to Perth, WA in 1949. Zet worked as a Painter until he and Bidelia retired to Busselton, WA in 1980. Zet died in 1992 and Bidelia in 1993.

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