In 1901 the McQuibban family were living at 65 Main Street, Kinnoull, Perth: Father, William (Joinery Contractor), b. c1852, Aberlour, Elginshire; Daughter, Effie H. K., b. c1888, Perth; Son, William J., b. c1892, Perth; and Son, Lewis C., b. c1900, Perth. Also living at this address was William McQuibban’s mother-in-law, Euphemia McIntosh, b. c1830, Glenshee, Perthshire; and Mary J. Stephen (General Servant, Domestic), b. c1884, Glenprosen, Forfarshire.

William McQuibban enlisted with the 1st Battalion (20th Reinforcement), Australian Imperial Force, on the 25th April 1916 when he was 24 years of age and a labourer. He was living at Spray Street, Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria and embarked on H.M.A.T. A14 Euripides in Sydney on the 9th September 1916.

The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line During the fighting on the Somme the German’s constructed a formidable new defensive system some miles in their rear. From February 1917 they began to withdraw into it, giving up ground, but in carrying out operation Alberich they made the ground as uninhabitable and difficult as possible. The Allies detected the withdrawal and cautiously followed up, and advanced, being brought to a standstill at the outer defences of the system.

While there is no definitive record of how, or where, William McQuibban lost his life, it would have been at some stage of this advance in pursuit of the German’s. He was 25 years old, and having no known grave, is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

Perthshire Advertiser, 19th May 1917

“OUR OWN MEN - Private W. J. M‘Quibban" 

“Private W. J. M‘Quibban, Australians, elder son of Mr and Mrs M‘Quibban, 1 Marshall Place, was killed in action on 5th April. He was 25 years of age. He went to Australia about six years ago, joined the Anzacs, and came over to this country. He spent a short furlough in Perth at the New Year, and shortly after proceeded to France with his contingent. A younger brother is on home service at Montrose.”