Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(N.Z.) one who has lost a leg, usu. in battle.

1918		Chronicle NZEF 13 Mar. 61: One of our brightest ‘Limbies’ lately went to town with 15s. in his pocket [DNZE].
1919		A. Hutton picture caption in Phillips, Boyack & Malone Great Adventure (1988) 2 Feb. 247: New Zealand ‘limbies’ at Brockenhurst. [Ibid.] 250: A promise made to us by General Richardson that limbies would be accomodated in specially fitted vessels.
1920		Quick March 10 July 17: In connection with the recent meeting of ‘limbies’ of the Wellington R.S.A., two instances were quoted of tramway officials behaving in such a manner towards men who had lost legs [DNZE].
1945		J. Henderson Gunner Inglorious 75: Ray and I were ‘limbies’, both having lost the left leg.
1955		Truth (Wellington) 22 June 14: [Heading] Limbies’ Leaders [DNZE].
1978		W. Taylor Twilight Hour 106: There were eight hundred men on the ship including a number of limbies [DNZE].