F/L D. Ibbotson was born near Leeds in Yorkshire, and educated at Harrogate public school. He joined the RAF in 1940 at the age of 19 as an 'erk' - an Aircraftsman 2nd class. He gained his wings in 1941 and his first operational flying tour was with 54 Squadron in August of that year.
In June 1942, he was posted to North Africa and it was over the Sahara that he flew into the annals of the war with 112 and 601 squadrons. Altogether, he downed at least 11 enemy aircraft.
He survived being shot down on three occasions, but was unharmed. On the second occasion, he was forced to crash-land on an airstrip near Mersah Matruh, which was in German hands. He was taken prisoner by troops of the Afrika Korps and even met General Erwin Rommel. He managed to escape captivity and was escorted by friendly Bedouin tribesmen through the night back to his squadron.

Flight Lieutenant Desmond Ibbotson was killed on November 19th 1944, about a month after his 23rd birthday. His Spitfire crashed a few miles south of the Santa Maria D'Angeli, near Assisi, Italy. At the time of the crash, what remains that could be found were buried in a marked grave at the Assissi military cemetery.

In 2005 more wreckage of the Spitfire were discovered by the Italian historical research group, Romagna Air Finders, who also found more of Flight Lieutenant Ibbotson's remains.
A re-dedication service was performed with full military honours, which was attended by guests from the RAF, the Italian Air Force, local dignitaries and the RAF's Queen's Colour Squadron at the graveside.