Military Provost Staff Corps

Soldier Details:

Surname: Dibbens

Initials: H.J.

Rank: Lieutenant

Army No.: 120289

Notes: Provost Officer. London Gazette 34837, page 2463, 26/4/40. General List. the undermentioned to be 2/Lt's: 12/2/40 Harold John dibbens (120289). London Gazette 35415, page 224, 13/1/42. General List. the undermentioned to be Lt's. 12/2/40 and not as notified in Gazettes (Supplements dated as follows: 26/4/40 Harold John Dibbens (120289). General List. 20/12/43 Ismalia SIB. He is credited with the building of a jetty of army lorries used at Dunkirk to embark troops. SIB & 102 Pro Coy BEF 40. SIB Egypt 41. APM SIB Southern Area Pro Coy. Privately published a book: Dibbens Diaries, as a Sailor, Soldier, Policeman, Civil Servant 1925 - 1972. Printed by St. Richard's Press Ltd, Chichester. Police Review 5/9/45, page 490. Det. Sergeant's War Record. Lieut Col J J Dibbens, who was a Detective Sergeant at Scotland Yard before being seconded to the army in 1940, has a remarkable war record. He was one of the 17 detectives who, under the command of the late Det. Supt. Campion formed the nucleus of the SIB. During the evacuation from Dunkirk he was for five days engaged in beach embarkation duties. After returning to this country he was placed in command of the SIB, Northern Command and a year later he was posted to the Middle East. In Palestine he held the appointments of DAPM. and later APM. of the SIB and also DPM of the CMP. Lieut-Col Dibbens was twice mentioned in despatches in 1940 and 1944. He published a book about his life titles Dibbens Diaries.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (2)

1. Decoration: Mention in Despatches

Gazette Date: 1940-12-20

Gazette Issue: 35020

Gazette Page: 7196

Citation: BEF. Credited with building jetties out to sea made from army lorries.

2. Decoration: Mention in Despatches

Gazette Date: 1944-04-06

Gazette Issue: 36456

Gazette Page: 1597

Citation: Middle East. SIB.

Surname:	Dibbens
Initials:	H.J.
Rank:	Lieutenant
Army No.:	120289
Notes:	Provost Officer. London Gazette 34837, page 2463, 26/4/40. General List. the undermentioned to be 2/Lt's: 12/2/40 Harold John dibbens (120289). London Gazette 35415, page 224, 13/1/42. General List. the undermentioned to be Lt's. 12/2/40 and not as notified in Gazettes (Supplements dated as follows: 26/4/40 Harold John Dibbens (120289). General List. 20/12/43 Ismalia SIB. He is credited with the building of a jetty of army lorries used at Dunkirk to embark troops. SIB & 102 Pro Coy BEF 40. SIB Egypt 41. APM SIB Southern Area Pro Coy. Privately published a book: Dibbens Diaries, as a Sailor, Soldier, Policeman, Civil Servant 1925 - 1972. Printed by St. Richard's Press Ltd, Chichester. Police Review 5/9/45, page 490. Det. Sergeant's War Record. Lieut Col J J Dibbens, who was a Detective Sergeant at Scotland Yard before being seconded to the army in 1940, has a remarkable war record. He was one of the 17 detectives who, under the command of the late Det. Supt. Campion formed the nucleus of the SIB. During the evacuation from Dunkirk he was for five days engaged in beach embarkation duties. After returning to this country he was placed in command of the SIB, Northern Command and a year later he was posted to the Middle East. In Palestine he held the appointments of DAPM. and later APM. of the SIB and also DPM of the CMP. Lieut-Col Dibbens was twice mentioned in despatches in 1940 and 1944. He published a book about his life titles Dibbens Diaries.