Alfred Gaby

Alfred Edward Gaby VC

Born on 25 January 1892 at Springfield near Ringarooma, Tasmania, Alfred Edward Gaby grew up on his family’s farm before working as a labourer in Western Australia. Having previously served with the militia, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 6 January 1916 after twice being rejected because of a hernia. Arriving in France later that year with the 28th Battalion, Gaby’s natural leadership quickly saw him promoted through the ranks and commissioned as an officer in 1917. He fought through some of the fiercest battles on the Western Front, including Passchendaele, where he was gassed before returning to duty in time for the Allied Hundred Days Offensive.

On 8 August 1918, during the opening day of the Battle of Amiens east of Villers-Bretonneux, Acting Company Commander Lieutenant Gaby displayed extraordinary courage when his company’s advance was halted by heavy barbed wire and devastating machine-gun fire. Spotting an unguarded gap in the wire, he charged forward alone toward a German strongpoint. Running along the enemy parapet under point-blank fire, he emptied his revolver into the defenders, forcing them from their positions and compelling the surrender of 50 German soldiers and four machine guns. He immediately reorganized his company and led it forward to capture and consolidate its objective. This remarkable feat became one of the most celebrated individual actions performed by an Australian soldier during the First World War.

Three days later, on 11 August 1918, during another attack near Lihons, Gaby again led from the front, calmly moving along his line under intense enemy fire to encourage his men and direct the consolidation of newly captured positions. While carrying out this duty, he was killed by a German sniper at just 26 years of age. His battalion’s war diary paid special tribute to his gallantry, and he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the British Empire. As he was unmarried, the Victoria Cross was sent to his father and stepmother rather than presented in person. Today he rests in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnières, France, and his medal group—consisting of the Victoria Cross, British War Medal, and Victory Medal—is preserved by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. His legacy is further honoured at the Australian War Memorial, the Hobart Cenotaph, and the National Memorial Arboretum in England.