Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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MCGEE, LEWIS

A02623

Portrait of Sergeant (Sgt) Lewis McGee VC 40th Battalion Australian Infantry of Avoca Tasmania, who was killed in action on 12 October 1917. An extract from The London Gazette No 30400, dated 23rd November 1917, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery when, in the advance to the final objective, Sgt McGee led his platoon with great dash and bravery, though strongly opposed, and under heavy shell fire. His platoon was suffering severely and the advance of the Company was stopped by machine gun fire from a `Pill-box' post. Single handed Sgt McGee rushed the post armed only with a revolver. He shot some of the crew and captured the rest, and thus enabled the advance to proceed. He reorganised the remnants of his platoon and was foremost in the remainder of the advance, and during consolidation of the position he did splendid work. This Non Commissioned Officer's coolness and bravery were conspicuous and contributed largely to the success of the Company's operations. Sgt McGee was subsequently awarded the VC for his outstanding bravery

Lewis McGee was born in Ross, Tasmania. He was 27, married and working as an engine-driver when he enlisted in Tasmania in early 1916. Although the 40th Battalion, did not see any big battles until 1917, it did particularly good work in the attack on Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October. Leading a depleted platoon near Zonnebeke, McGee made a single-handed attack on a concrete blockhouse while armed with only a revolver. He then had an active part in consolidating the captured position. Resuming the advance a week later, McGee was killed in the futile attack on Passchendaele.

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.