Son of Willem Frederick Lubbe, of Mountain View, Pretoria. Lubbe served in "D" Coy, 12th Infantry (Pretoria Regiment) in German South West Africa. He subsequently enlisted in the 3rd SA Infantry and served in France and Flanders. He was wounded (GSW in legs) on 11 April 1917 and subsequently gassed three times on 19 March 1918, 4 May 1918 and 9 July 1918. He was awarded an MM for gallantry the day before he died.
LG Sup 17 June 1919 - "On the 17th October during the attack on LE CATEAU this soldier showed great resourcefulness and bravery. Strong uncut enemy wire was met with which for a time held up the advance. Private Lubbe brought his Lewis Gun into action in the open under heavy machine gun fire and cut a large enough gap to allow his Company to get through and the advance to be continued. Throughout the operation this soldier showed magnificent gallantry, being left alone to handle his gun, his section leader and all his team having become casualties."