Frederick Tubb

He rebuilt the barricade as enemy bombs tore it apart again.

Frederick Harold Tubb was born at Longwood, Victoria, on 28 November 1881. He attended the local school, where his father taught, and later managed family grazing land. Active in local sporting and community organizations, he also served in the Victorian mounted and infantry forces before the First World War. He joined the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 and sailed with the 7th Battalion in October.

At Gallipoli, Tubb was promoted captain shortly before the fighting at Lone Pine. On 9 August 1915 he held a captured trench with a small party against repeated Ottoman counterattacks. Grenades repeatedly destroyed its improvised barricade. Despite wounds to his head and arm, he helped rebuild it under fire and kept the position supplied and defended. Corporal Alexander Burton was killed beside him and Corporal William Dunstan was temporarily blinded. All three received the Victoria Cross for their part in the defence.

Tubb was evacuated to England. Appendicitis and a subsequent hernia prolonged his recovery, including a period in Australia in 1916. He returned to the battalion in France in December and became a major in February 1917. After further illness he rejoined the unit in August, just before the Australian advance near Ypres.

On 20 September 1917, during the Menin Road fighting, Tubb led his company against fortified positions. After surviving the assault, he was badly wounded when supporting artillery fell short. He died later that day, aged 35, and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. His Victoria Cross and campaign medals entered the Australian War Memorial collection.

Victoria Cross citation: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Lone Pine trenches, in the Gallipoli Peninsula, on 9th August, 1915. In the early morning the enemy made a determined counterattack on the centre of the newly captured trench held by Lieutenant Tubb. They advanced up a sap and blew in a sandbag barricade, leaving only one foot of it standing, but Lieutenant Tubb led his men back, repulsed the enemy, and rebuilt the barricade. Supported by strong bombing parties, the enemy succeeded in twice again blowing in the barricade, but on each occasion Lieutenant Tubb, although wounded in the head and arm, held his ground with the greatest coolness and rebuilt it, and finally succeeded in maintaining his position under very heavy bomb fire.

The London Gazette of 15 October 1915, Numb. 29328, p. 10154