Captain Herbert John GEE MC, MiD
11th Light Horse Regiment AIF
5th Light Horse Regiment AIF (Attached)
by Robert Simpson
Herbert John Gee was born on 2nd June 1877 in Oxford England. His birth was registered and a certificate issued on 15th October 1877. He was a son to William Henry Gee (born in Egrove in Kennington, Berkshire in late 1844) and Elizabeth Sophia Plummer Allnutt (born in St Giles-in-the-Fields, London in mid-1844), who had been married on 26th July 1870 in St Philip and St James Church of England in Oxford. William was a bookseller, living at High Street and Elizabeth was a spinster, living at Pheasant Road. His father Charles Gee was a gentleman and her father Moses Thomas Allnutt was a College Servant. Elizabeth was baptised in St Giles in the Field on 20th April 1844. In the 1861 census, she was a Pupil Teacher and was living with her family in Oxford. By the 1871 census they were living at 15 Beef Lane Oxford and William was a Bookseller employing a porter and 1 apprentice. In the 1881 census they had moved to Hampton Poyle and had 7 children with them. During the 1891 census, Elizabeth was living with 6 children at St Giles. In the 1901 census William and Elizabeth were living with Alice and Frederick. William was a political agent and Frederick a butler. During the 1911 census, Elizabeth was living with Ernest and his wife Bertha at New Maldon, Surrey. Ernest was a assistant bookseller. William was living at 3 Southmoor Road Oxford and was a registration agent to do with politics. Elizabeth died and was buried on 3rd February 1917 in Wolvercote Cemetery in Oxford. William was living at 45 Chalfont Road Oxford in the 1920’s. He died on died on 28th January 1927 and was buried in the same grave as his wife on 31st January 1927. Probate, on 27th February 1927, went to Lizzie Gee and Alice Mary Allnutt Gee (spinsters) of over £264.
Their first-born child was William Henry Gee, who was born on 17th April 1871 in Oxfordshire. He was baptised on 14th May 1871 in St Mary the Virgin Church of England in Oxford. William matriculated at Merton College on 19th October 1889 from Oxford high school. His note also records: “exhibitioner 89; HONOURS: – 2 classical mods. 91.” In the 1891 census, he was recorded as a visitor, with his father, at White Horse Hotel at Exford. By the 1901 census, he was a servant to Nicholas Toke (a Schoolmaster and something to do with army classes) and family as a Schoolmaster at Penfillan House in Folkestone. On 28th August 1913, William embarked on the Sicilian at the Port of London to travel to Montreal Canada in 2nd Class. He was a 41-year old schoolmaster. William joined the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 22nd September 1914 at Valcartier as Private 25091 with the 13th Battalion Canadian Infantry. (Originally he was with the 5th Regiment Royal Highlanders of Canada from 17th August). He gave his birth date as 17th April 1875. He was a tutor and his next of kin was his father at Southwood Road Oxford. He had previous service with the Volunteer Oxford University Corps. He stated his age as 39 years and 4 months (actually 43 years old), he was 5 foot 6½ inches tall, chest measurement fully expanded 36½ inches with 3-inch range, his complexion was moderate dark with slight brown eyes and black, slightly grey hair. Church of England was his religious denomination. He had 4 vaccine marks on his left arm. The unit sailed on 4th October 1914. William was reported wounded and missing on 22nd -24th May 1915. He was then officially reported as a POW at Gressen and was then sent to Lichtenhorst, Lager 1, Baraque 10, Soltan, Hannover. He had been capture at Ypres. William was released at Ripon on 27th December 1918 and discharged in Canada on 27th September 1919. His full service records are online. After his service, no other details can be found about him apart from an entry in red in his service records stating he died on 30th August 1949.
Charles Frank Allnutt Gee was born on 25th April 1873 in Oxford and was baptised on 25th May the same year. In the 1891 census, he was living with his mother and was a bookseller’s assistant. By the 1901 census he was living at 53 Kellert Road Lambeth in a boarding house and still had the same occupation. He married Emily Rose Dunn (born 1875) on 18th September 1905 in St Matthews Church Bristow. In the 1911 census, they were living at 50 Fairmount Road Brixton Hill. He was listed as a bookselling shop assistant. Herbert was also living with them. A 1918 directory has him living at 4 Percy Place Epsom Road Surrey. In WW1, he enlisted in the navy as L11370 on 14th August 1918. He was 5 foot 6½ inches tall, had a chest measurement of 36½ inches, and had brown hair and eyes and a dark complexion. He served at Victory I as Off Std III from 14th August 1918 to 26th February 1919 and was discharged at shore on demobilisation. His conduct was very good and ability satisfactory. The 1919 electoral register has them living at the same place as in 1918. On 14th March 1928 Charles left on the Aquitania at Southampton. His immigration visa was issued at Washington for him to go to New York as an old book expert from Great Britain. The 1939 register has them living at 39 Frenchay Road Oxford and he was a retired bookseller. He died in Oxford and was buried in the same grave as his parents on 31st July 1944.
Lizzie Gee was born on 27th May 1874 in Oxford and was baptised on 6th June 1874 in St Mary the Virgin Church of England in Oxford. In the 1881 and 1891 census she was living at home. During the 1901 census she was a visitor at 8 Blackhall Road St Giles and was an elementary school teacher. In the 1911 census she was living with her father and 3 other children and she was an elementary Teacher with the Borough Council Education Committee. Lizzie was part of the City of Oxford Education Committee and the listing reads “St. Clement’s (infants), Bath street, built in 1873, for 190 infants ; Miss Lizzie Gee, mistress.” In 1915 she was the local secretary of the Benevolent & Orphan Fund of the National Union of Teachers. By the 1939 register she was living at 45 Chalfont Road Oxford and was a retired head teacher. She passed away on 28th September 1956 in Oxford and had been living in her parents’ house. Probate to John Allnutt Howell retired surveyor and Frederick James Grimsdale solicitor was done on 18th December with a value of £3471. She did not marry.
Alice Mary Allnutt Gee was born on 17th January 1876 in Oxford. She was baptised in the same church on 13th February 1876. In all census, she was living at home with the family and had no occupation. In the 1939 register she was living with Lizzie and was recorded as being incapacitated. She passed away on 24th January 1954 at 45 Chalfont Road Oxford and her effects of over £558 went to Lizzie on 2nd April. She did not marry.
Ernest Richard Gee was born on 15th April 1878 in Oxford and was baptised in the family church on 13th May 1878. In the 1881 and 1891 census he was living at home. By the 1901 census he was lodging at 5 Page Street in London and was an assistant. On 19th April 1908 he married Bertha Ellen Hook (born 1882) in Putney St Mary Church. He was a bookseller and she had no occupation. Both were living at 95 High Street Putney. Her father Henry Hook had been a licenced victualler and was deceased. In the 1911 census they were living at Kings Avenue New Maldon Surrey, his mother was there visiting and Ernest was listed as a bookseller assistant. On 22nd August 1914 they left Liverpool on the St Paul bound for New York, intending to live permanently there. Ernest’s occupation was bookseller. He filled out a World War I Draft Registration Card which showed he was living at New York City No 122. A Registration Card was filled out for Ernest on 12th September 1918 which showed their permanent address was 141 East 26th Street in New York. He was recorded as a white alien, whose present occupation was book salesman at Britanic at 225 5th Avenue. Ernest had a medium height, slender build and had brown eyes and black hair. On 29th July 1929, he arrived at Plymouth from New York on the Tuscania for a visit, staying at 24 Ryder Street St James London. He was still a bookseller. In the 1930 USA census they were living in Queens New York. He was 52 and she was 48 and Ernest was a dealer in rare books and Bertha was a bookkeeper in rare books office. By the 1940 census they were living at 52 Rolling Hill Road, Nassau, New York and he was still the owner operator of Rare Book Retail Store. After that it is not known what happened to them.
Frederick Scaife Gee was born on 19th May 1879 in Oxford and baptised in the family church on 12th June 1879 and was their last child. He was living at home in all the census from the 1881 to 1911 census. In the last 2 census he is listed as a Butler at Markham College. On 11th August 1914 at Summertown Oxfordshire he married Dorothy Annis, a 26 year old spinster. Her father William had been a caterer but was deceased. In WW1 he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the RASC and was entitled to the British War and Victory medals. His service records are at National Archives UK under WO 374/26782 but are not online. In the Oxford University Roll of Service (1920) it has F S Gee matriculated in 1903 and was a Member of University OTC prior to 1915 and has a narrative of “1903 Gee. F. S., M.A. (May 1, 1917). 2nd Lieutenant Royal Army Service Corps E. Africa, 1918-19”. He applied for his medals and they were issued under issue voucher X/101 on 2nd April 1925. They were sent to 38 Chalfont Street Oxford. By the 1939 register they were living at 34 Frenchay Road Oxford and he was a College Clerk. Dorothy passed away on 26th August 1944 and was buried with her parents on 30th August in Wolvercote Cemetery. In the late 1940’s he was still living at 34 Frenchay Road Oxford. Frederick died on 4th September 1949 in the Radcliff Infirmary Oxford and was buried on 7th September 1949 in Wolvercote Cemetery. Probate was granted on 10th November to Harold Savigny Clemens solicitor and Michael de Gruchy Gribble medical student of just over £4000.
The 1891 census has Herbert living at 29 Southmoor Street Oxford with his mother and five other children. He was a scholar. In January 1891 he had entered the City of Oxford High School for Boys in George Street. After only 18 months there, he left and was apprenticed to W. F. Lucas & Co. in 1893.
Herbert attested for short service with the 15th Hussars in London on 30th August 1898 as Private 3836. He stated he was a British subject who had been born in Oxford, he was 21 years and 3 months old, was a workhouse-man and was still residing at home. Herbert had never been an apprentice, was not married, had not been imprisoned, served or been rejected and was willing to be enlisted in the Corps of Hussars of the Line. His physical description was height 5 foot 6¾ inches, weight 142 pounds, chest measurement from 35 to 37 inches and he had a fair complexion with brown eyes and hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. In the distinctive marks’ column was written “Eyebrows meet Tears head, Dots forearms”. The medical examination considered him fit and he was approved by the Chief Recruiting Officer on the same day. He was posted to the 15th Hussars as a Private on 30th August 1898, the date of which his service towards limited engagement reckons from, although the next line in his service records say he “Joined at Aldershot on 31.8.98”. He was granted 1 penny Good Conduct pay on 30th August 1900. Herbert was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 19th April 1902 and promoted to Corporal on 17th October 1903. He then extended his service to complete 8 years with the Colours in accordance with the provisions of Army Order No. 66 of 1902 on 1st April 1904. On the same day he was granted S. P. Class I with 7 pennies a day. He was permitted to extend his service to complete 12 years with the Colours on 31st July 1905. Herbert was appointed paid Lance Sergeant on 4th July 1907 and was promoted to Sergeant on 10th August 1907. The next two entries which read “19th Hussars Attached Para:1870 [IX] K. R. Sergeant 17.11.09” and “Section ‘D’ 15th Hussars Enlisted on the 22nd September 1910 Sergeant 22.9.10” have a line through them with nothing else stated. Herbert was discharged upon termination of his 1st period of engagement as Sergeant on 29th August 1910. His total service towards Engagement and Pension was 12 years. The Military History Sheet for Herbert showed he served at Home from 30.8.98 to 20.9.99 (1 year 22 days), India from 21.09.99 to 16.11.09 (10 years 57 days) and Home again from 17.11.09 to 29.08.10 (286 days). For certificates of education, he had 3rd Class at Meerut on 25th August 1900, 2nd Class at Meerut on 6th November 1902 and 1st Class on 25th September 1906. It stated his next of kin was his Father, William Henry Gee of 35 Southmoor Road Oxford. In 1899 the 15th Hussars Regiment had embarked for India once more. They were stationed at Lucknow, and then Meerut, and remained in India for the next ten years before returning to England.
In the 1911 census Herbert was living with Charles and his wife at 50 Fairmount Road Brixton Hill. He was single, a commercial traveller selling typewriting accessories.
There is a record for the Medic leaving Liverpool, bound for Australia on 4th May 1911 with a passenger Mr H H Gee, a traveller of adult age. If it is Herbert, it is not proven. An entry in New South Wales Passenger Lists for an unassisted passage for H J Gee showed he arrived in Sydney on the Wollowra on 27th February 1913 from Melbourne. Again not sure it is him. Before enlisting he was a farmer, living at East Barron, Atherton in Queensland.
Colonel Spencer-Browne wrote a letter to Sergeant Gee at School of Instruction at Enoggera saying that Herbert thought he would not be going with the reinforcements and would not for some time. As he was commanding the Light Horse Brigade, he would make sure Herbert went and hoped it would be with a commission. He was “very proud to have in the command so well trained & so capable a soldier.” He added “you will greatly strengthen a squadron and I hope you see you all working in the positions where you can best serve our country.”
Herbert enlisted on 29th December 1914 with a term of service for the duration of the war and 4 months He then applied for a commission in the AIF 11th Light Horse Regiment on 15th March 1915. He stated for educational qualifications he had been educated at Oxford High School and had passed Oxford and Cambridge Locals in 1892. For previous military service he had served 12 years with “Colors 15th “The Kings” Hussars 5yrs Sgt 2½ Section D Reserve”. He was now a Private (Acting Sergeant) in the AIF. He had qualified at a competitive examination for first appointment as 2nd Lieutenant on 12/13th March 1915. For his present civil employment, he wrote Church of England to which someone else wrote “Religion?” Herbert stated his date of birth, age (both correct) and that he was a single British subject. He was single. His postal address was East Barron Atherton NQ and his next of kin was his father W H Gee of 7 Southmoor Road Oxford England. The examining Medical Officer noted he was 5 foot 7 ½ inches, weighed 10 stone 10 pounds and had a chest measurement of 39 inches and normal eyesight. He was appointed to the 11th Light Horse Regiment on 1st April 1915 and was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on that day.
Sgt. H.J. Gee, one of the soldiers photographed in The Queenslander Pictorial, supplement to The Queenslander, 1915, published on 27th March 1915.
Taken at Pinkenba, day of departure 17.6.15 Brisbane.
On 16th June 1915, he embarked with B Squadron 11th Light Horse Regiment at Brisbane on A30 Borda.
Lieut. H.J. Gee, one of the soldiers photographed in The Queenslander Pictorial, supplement to The Queenslander, 10th July 1915.
A haircut in camp and two of his horses. He noted on the back that the “horse marked, was grazed on the Rump by a bullet in the last stunt & fell with me, being very rough ground”.
He embarked for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to Gallipoli from Alexandria on HT Marquette on 25th August 1915 with the 11th LHR.
Herbert reported for duty and was taken on strength of the 5th Light Horse Regiment on 29th August 1915. Another entry says he was attached.
He was wounded on 3rd September 1915 (another record says bullet wound on 3.9.15 and another says wounded slightly). An entry in his service with the AIF says he was “Wounded and remained with unit”, with another stating he was not admitted to hospital.
The Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA) of Tuesday 21st September 1915 had on page 35 “THE GREAT WAR IN EUROPE SEVENTY-NINTH LIST. Perth, Sept. 17. The 79th casualty list, comprising West Australian casualties and those from other States whose next-of-kin reside in this State, was issued to-night as follows”, with an entry under “Wounded” which read “11th Light Horse. Attached to 5th Light Horse. – 2nd Lieut. H. J. Gee (England).”
On 3rd November 1915 he was promoted to Lieutenant with the 5th LHR. He was also wounded on that day, but it was not reported, as noted in an “Extract confidential war diary”. A report on the Operations of Harris Ridge from 3rd to 9th November 1915 detailed work that was done to create new trenches to prevent the Turks “from occupying hard ground which would enable them to bring direct rifle fire on to the rear of the troops in Tasmania Post etc.” Over ensuing nights, the trenches were built and consolidated while under enemy fire. The Commander of the 5th Light Horse wished “to draw attention to the service of the following officers and N.C.O’s during these operations” and included “Lieut. H.J. Gee. On the night of the second advance, this officer was in charge of one of the working parties. On Capt. Brundrit being killed and Lieut Johnstone, who was in charge of the working party on the new barricade being wounded Lieut. Gee took charge of their parties and handled them so that the work proceeded rapidly and smoothly.” In the History of the 5th Light Horse Regiment on page 40 it reads: “The following Order was issued by the Corps Commander on the 8th November: “The Army Corps Commander wishes to express his appreciation of the action of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade in successfully advancing their position to Wilson’s Lookout, on Harris Ridge, between the 3rd to 8th November, 1915. The operation was skilfully planned and carried out with vigour and determination. General Godley congratulates the 5th Light Horse, to whom the operation was entrusted, and to whose resource and gallantry the excellent result achieved is largely due. The enemy casualties in this engagement has been stated by prisoners to have reached a total of 500 killed and wounded. The following officers and N.C.O’s have been particularly brought to the Army Corps Commander’s notice” and the list included Herbert.
A note dated 30th November 1915 has a list of names submitted that were worthy of immediate recognition, but they were “returned, the Army Corps Commander not being prepared to forward them at present. They will, however, be forwarded later” and the list included Lieutenant Herbert J Gee.
In the evacuation of Gallipoli, Herbert was to leave on the night of 19th-20th December 1915 in B.3 Party under Major H H Johnstone.
Herbert wrote to his sister Lizzie (he called her Phil in the letter), replying to a letter she had sent him and thanking her for the good news about their mother. He also said he had sent them some money to help out and would continue to do so. Herbert asked is he could have the address for an Arthur Gee, who was also on the peninsula and must have been related, so he could catch up with him. He talked about “they were getting a lot of Turkish Deserters coming in & find they are having a rotten time. Badly clad & short rations to say nothing about frost bite and flooded trenches.” The snow and cold weather were the worst he had experienced. He asked if she had heard anything from his friend Best. Best had sent him a letter saying he had enteric fever and was in Netley Red Cross Hospital in isolation. Herbert asked is she could bring him down to Oxford as he intended to marry his sister, but he had said nothing to him about her (and wanted his sister not to either). He said they “thoroughly understand one another” and gave a description of her being “tall blue grey eyes & about Millie’s colour & a young 33, a lady & a real good sort”. He talked about another friend Whitfield being invalided from the peninsula. Both had been married before they went.
On 21st March 1916 he was transferred to 11th Light Horse Regiment from the 5th at Maadi. Another entry says on the 22nd he was marched out of camp from the 5th LHR to re-join the 11th LHR and was taken on strength on re-joining and was posted to B Squadron at Heliopolis.
He was marched into G.T.&E.B.D. at Tel-el-Kebir on 26th April 1916 and then marched into 11th LHR on 1st July 1916 at Moascar.
In August 1916 near Mushalfat the 11th Light Horse commenced an attack which was met with a heavy counter-attack on the right flank. During this action, “The horses of Lieutenant Gee’s troop, a troop which was fighting dismounted on the extreme right flank, were stampeded by shell fire just before the order to retire was received, and as a result this troop leader and his men were forced to escape on foot. Theirs was a narrow escape and indeed an unenviable experience. There were brief moments of doubt when it was thought that the whole troop would either be annihilated or captured.”
His Mention in Despatches appeared in the London Gazette 1st December 1916 on page 11808 at position 3
On 25th April 1917 Base Records sent his father a letter saying Lieutenant Herbert John Gee had been Mentioned in Despatches in London Gazette 29845 on 1st December 1916, page 11808 at position 3, for conspicuous services rendered. “In accordance with final paragraph of the Despatch dated 1st October, the following are mentioned for distinguished services rendered during the period of General A. J. Murray’s Command of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.” The Officer Commanding the 11th Light Horse Regiment recommended Lieutenant Herbert John Gee for a Military Cross. The action for which he was recommended was “For leading his troops in a bold and skillfull manner and driving back the Turks from a position from which they would enfilade the advance of the 4th ALH Bde and capturing 10 prisoners. In conjunction with Lieut Farlour’s troop he then charged a Turkish trench and captured 50 prisoners. This action cleared the frank of the Brigade from enfilade fire.” Another recommendation includes the date of 19th April 1917 and adds “Also on the 4th July at Point 96 for conspicuously good work done whilst in command of two troops “13” Sqdn he never hesitating & with great dash & determination pushed ahead his screen forcing a large body of the enemy who were occupying a strong position in front to retire thereby allowing important observational work in rear to be carried out. This officer held on to the position he occupied notwithstanding heavy shell and rifle fire. (Mentioned in Despatches Nov & Dec 1916 and 13.10.16)”
Herbert was marched out to a school of instruction on 8th August 1917 at Marakel and he passed the 29th Hotchkiss course as a qualified instructor on 18th August. He was marched back in from the school at Zeitoun. On 15th September 1917 he went to a rest camp at Port Said from 11th Light Horse Regiment and marched back into the unit on 5th October 1917.
On 1st November 1917 he was promoted to Captain.
In Supplement to the London Gazette of 1st January 1918 on page 51 at position 29 – Lt. Herbert John Gee, L. Horse R. is listed as being awarded the Military Cross. His Mention in Despatches was recorded in the London Gazette of 12th January 1918 on page 804 at position 26.
Herbert wrote out his will, which was dated on 18th January 1918 according to a certified true copy issued by the Officer Commanding Records at Australian headquarters Egypt. In it he stated he bequeathed all of his estate “to Absolutely my second Sister. Alice Mary Allnutt Gee 7 Southmoor Road Oxford England”. The witnesses were L S Alexander, a School Teacher at Ayr and A Y Bartam, a Station Hand at Townsville. He marched out and was struck off strength. On 26th January 1918 Herbert was taken on strength of the 4th Light Horse Training Regiment from the 11th LHR and on 2nd February 1918 he was seconded to 11th Light Horse Training Squadron.
A letter was posted to Miss L Gee of 7 Southmoor Road Oxford from Herbert, dated 21st March 1918. Herbert had written the letter on the 20th at Moascar. He apologised for not having written for so long and said he was taking his turn with their training regiment for 3 months before returning to the regiment, which had seen no action while he was with the training regiment. The “Duke of Connaught pinned my Military Cross on me the other day & will in due course be forwarded on to the Pater.” It was awarded at Belah on 18th January 1918. He was fit and appreciated the comforts of being in a stationary cap after so much trekking, but said he would be glad to get going again. He had done a will and everything was to go to Alice, but she did not need to know. The Military Cross was forwarded to his father on 7th August 1918.
The Daily Herald in Adelaide of Saturday 30th March 1918 in page 3, under the heading “HONORS FOR ANZACS” had an entry under Military Cross for Lieutenant Herbert John Gee.
Herbert ceased to be seconded to 11th Light Horse Squadron and resumed Regimental duty on 27th April 1918 (11th LHR). From the 4th Light Horse Training Regiment, Herbert was marched in to the 11th Light Horse Regiment and taken on strength at Moascar on 2nd May 1918.
From “The Australian Imperial Force in Sinai and Palestine, 1914-1918”, by Henry Somer Gullett, on page 730 “The mean little mud village of Semakh stands on the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee, about a mile east of the outflow of the Jordan.” Brigadier General William Grant had heard some German and Turks had been set up a to prepare a strong rear-guard defence of the town from a message dropped from an aircraft. Before dawn on 25th September 1918 a regiment and two squadrons of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade attacked. The assault began with a mounted cavalry charge, which was unique as it was the only one carried out during WW1 in the dark and across country, which had not been previously reconnoitred. It ended two hours later after close quarter fighting in the village and the railway station. There was fierce fighting with bayonets and swords, from room to room in the railway buildings, before the town was captured.
Many Turks and Germans were concealed in railway trucks and carriages, with most inside the buildings, at the railway station in Semakh, a small town on the southern shore of Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee). A and B Squadrons of the 11th Light Horse attacked after being fired on, charging over the open ground before the village. “A hot fire-fight developed at revolver range, and for more than an hour the struggle was stationary. But some Australian machine-gunners, who with the remaining squadron had been ordered round to the east and south-east by Grant, made it impossible for the Germans to hold the windows of the buildings, and so substantially reduced the enemy’s fire. At dawn the two squadrons rushed in on the concealed enemy. The fighting was bitter and bloody. The garrison, outnumbering the Australians by two to one, and made up largely of Germans, had, in addition to their extraordinary position and machine-guns, an ample store of hand-grenades. They fought with exceptional boldness and stubbornness, their courage stimulated by an abundance of rum. But the Australians would not be denied. While the squadron on the east was fighting among earthworks and railway carriages, (Major James) Loynes’ men, rushing from their cover, battered in the doors of the main station building, and entering one by one, followed the Germans and Turks in the darkness from floor to floor and room to room with the bayonet. Captain W.F. Whitfield, Captain H.J. Gee, and Lieutenant F.G. Farlow were killed in this fighting, but there was no pause in the struggle until the whole of the enemy force was destroyed or captured.” (As from the above book p. 733).
From the History of the 11th Light Horse Regiment on page 133 was this description: “At one stage Major Costello’s troops were menaced by an enemy 12 pounder gun firing at point blank range, and while attempting to silence this gun Captain Gee was killed.”
On the back is written “Samakh Station. Where German machine Gunners opened fire after hoisting white flag, killing 3 officers & 9 men of the 11th Australian Light Horse”.
Another picture of the Station and on the back it also says “The A.L.H. were lining the Ledge.”
The cross has Herbert’s name and Captain W F Whitfield (Wesley Frank Whitfield), possibly the friend mentioned in the letter above to his sister, and Lieutenant F G Farlow MC.
Pictures of graves showing Sea of Galilee.
Herbert had cousins who served in the war; 662 Private Arthur Gee, who joined the 11th Battalion at Kalgoorlie (with his brother Edward who was killed on Gallipoli) and was discharged in 1916, and then was a farmer in New Zealand.
On 6th May 1918 Base Records sent Mr W H GEE of 3 Southmoor Rd Oxford a letter saying they “had much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Supplement No. 30450 to the “London Gazette,” dated 28th December, 1917, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force.” “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned award for distinguished service in the field. Dated 1st January, 1918.” The Military Cross had been awarded to Lieutenant Herbert John Gee.
Base Records sent a letter to his father at his usual address on 11th June 1918, a copy from the Second Supplement 30474 to the London Gazette, dated 14th January 1918 for a Mention in Despatches. “The following despatch has been received by the Secretary of State for War from General Sir Archibald Murray K.C.B., late Commander-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force: – “In accordance with the concluding paragraph of my despatch, dated 28th June, 1917, I have the honor to submit herewith the name of the undermentioned, whose name I wish to bring to your notice for gallant or distinguished conduct in the field, or for other valuable services: – Lieutenant H. J. Gee, M.C.””
CWGC recorded that H J Gee MC died on 25th September 1918 as a Captain with the 11th Australian Light Horse and is buried in Haifa War Cemetery. In a record about his Military Cross it records the London Gazette entry as “LG:30450/1 Jan 1918” and adds “KIA (Captain) Semakh, Palestine 25 Sep 1918 aged 41. Farmer from Brisbane. Born Oxford 2 Jun 1877.” Herbert was struck off strength on the same day. He is buried in Haifa War Cemetery in Israel in Plot B. 62. A record for location of graves says Captain H J Gee was buried in Semakh Military Cemetery at the South end of the Lake of Galilee on the Railway, Palestine. On 26th 9th 1918 he was buried by Chaplain J West at the gravesite at Semakh Military Cemetery in Grave 1, reference map 1/63360 Sheet IV. 2. 16d-3-6. A piece of paper in his service records state he was in Grave 99 M.55/404 on 19th October 1923. Another record adds re-interred in Haifa Military Cemetery Palestine.
A telegram was sent to his father on 28th September 1918 advising him that Herbert had been killed and a letter was following. The letter stated he had been killed and further details would be forwarded when received. Another telegram on 5th October 1918 was headed OHMS Buckingham Palace and read “To H. Gee Esq. 3 Southmoor Road Oxford. The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of Capt. H. J. Gee in the Service of his Country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow.” It was sent by the Keeper of the Privy Purse.
The Northern Miner of Charters Towers on Wednesday 20th November 1918 in page 3 under “Roll of Honor” in Casualty List No. 442 from Brisbane on 18th November said that list was released that night and contained the names of 273 Queenslanders and included under “Killed In Action” Captain Herbert John Gee, England.
On 23rd December 1918 the District Paymaster in Brisbane wrote to Base Records in Melbourne asking “RE the late Captain Herbert J. GEE, “B”/11th Light Horse. (M.C.) I shall be gland if you will kindly furnish me with a certificate of death when same is available in connection with the abovenamed deceased Officer who was Killed in Action on 25/9/18.” Their reply on 3rd January 1919 stated he was killed in action but no record was available. They added “Cable No. C.E.B.C. 1216, from the Commandant A.I.F. Headquarters dated Cairo 26th September 1918, confirmed by mail from the Commandant A.I.F. Headquarters dated Cairo, 1st October 1918.”
A letter was sent to Miss L Gee of 7 Southmoor Road Oxford by P J Bailey (Lieutenant-Colonel Percival John Bailey DSO served with the 11th Light Horse) on 22nd February 1919 from Tripoli Syria, and said “Major Costello has just shewn me your letter. Please allow me to add my condolences in the loss of your brother and our old friend “Dick” Gee. It is hardly possible for me to convey to you how much we miss him from our little circle. Sept 25th was a sad day for us when we lost some of our best pals. “Old Dick” as he was always known was the same year in & year out, cheery & energetic and one of the hardest cases a fellow would ever wish to meet. Officers of all units knew the 11th because somewhere or other they had met & spent a happy time with Gee.” He went on to say he met him after enlistment and gave him charge of a squad and he was one of the first selected to be commissioned. Previous training, knowledge and ability was of great service to the unit. “He had been in so many tight corners & dangerous jobs that he really felt that the bullet was never made that could injure him. His confidence & daring inoculated into his Squadron. Such an utter disregard for personal danger that no task was too severe for them.” He sympathised with her loss as they missed him as well, “but would ask you to be comforted by the fact that his work has been well & honourably done and that his life was most heroically given in the stiffest fight of the Campaign.”
Base Records sent a letter to W H Gee Esq. 3 Southmoor Road Oxford on 20th March 1919 saying “With reference to the report of the regrettable loss of your son, the late Captain , H. J. Gee M.C., 11th Light Horse Regiment, I am now in receipt of advise which shows that he was killed in action on 25th September, 1918, and was buried on the 26th idem in Semakh Military Cemetery, Semakh, Grave No. 1. The utmost care and attention is being devoted where possible to the graves of our officers and men. It is understood that photographs are being taken as soon as is possible and these will be transmitted to next-of-kin when available. These additional details are furnished by direction, it being the policy of the Department to forward all information received in connection with deaths of members of the Australian Imperial Force.”
Mrs Arthur Earl of “Emoh Ruo” Ascot Street Brisbane sent a letter to Base Records in Melbourne on 29th March 1919 saying “I noticed in the advertisement for next of kin the name of Captain H. J. Gee. His next of kin are his father, brothers & sisters, who live at 7 Southmore Road Oxford, England. His Father is steward of the estate of Viscount Valencia so please give instruction for them to be notified to what you were applying for. I as a personal friend of the family have taken the liberty of answering the ad & thank you in anticipation”. Base Records wrote back saying “In reply to your communication of 29th ultimo, I have to state no advertisement from this office has been inserted in the press in regard to the late Captain H.J.Gee, M.C. 11th Light Horse Regiment. The address of the next-of-kin is correctly recorded here.”
A receipt was sent back to Officer Commanding AIF Kit Store, 110 Greyhound Road Hammersmith London from Alice Gee of 7 Southmoor Road Oxford on 14th March 1919 for the effects of the late Captain H J Gee MC 11th LHR AIF in package D/S48880, which they received the next day. She signed for more effects on 8th March 1919, D/s48889, which they received on the 10th. A final set of effects was received by her on 8th May 1919 (D/S 49921) and received back to Kit Store on 9th May.
Lieutenant-Colonel P J Bailey wrote to Lizzie on 25th May 1919 from Mausura Egypt. He thanked her for her letter and was disappointed he was not on leave in England with some of the regiment, to meet her. He went on to say they were still waiting for demobilisation, which had been delayed due to the Egyptian troubles. He included a two-page poem with the letter, which was written “by one of the section boys who was attached to our Unit at the time of the Semakh fight. It is a simple little lot of verses but very expressive of the actual event. I prize it very much and hope you will like it.” He went on to say “The awful price we paid that early morn. How Bravely our boys fought & how gallantly our N.C.Os & Officers led them in the face of an overwhelming fire.” The poem is 29 verses long and is included in the book below.
Base Records in Melbourne on 7th October 1919 sent a Form of Commission in the regular forces of the British Army to his father W H Gee at 7 Southmoor Road Oxford. He was also sent the booklet “Where the Australians Rest”. Both of his Mention in Despatches certificates were sent in 1920 to his father. The Memorial Plaque and Scroll was sent to his father on 21st December 1922.
His father filled out the particulars required for the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial and put “Herbert John Captain M.C.” for his full name and rank. He was connected with Brisbane, born in Oxford England and died on 25th September 1918 in Palestine aged 43. His calling was wholesale flannelette goods in London Wall, London. Oxford High School was his school. Herbert came to Australia when he was 33 years old. For previous service he joined the 15th Hussars when he was 21, served with them for 12 years, 5 years as Sergeant and 11 years in India. He also wrote that “his 4 brothers (1 Canadian) 1 American and two from home took part in the war also 6 cousins (2 Australians) of which 2 were killed and 1 incapacitated”. William Henry Gee was living at 45 Chalford Road Oxford at the time of filling out the form.
Alice Mary Allnut Gee was sent a letter about a pension in 1919, to start from 5th December 1918 that was 40 shillings a fortnight, and included back payment to that date. She also received his account from the Public Curator which amounted to over £400.
His name is located at panel 8 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial. Herbert John Gee’s name will be projected onto the exterior of the Hall of Memory on:
Tuesday 09th April 2019 at 11:55pm
Sunday 21st July 2019 at 3:25am
Thursday 05th September 2019 at 9:24pm.
St Margaret’s Church Oxford also has a memorial to him online – http://www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/war/stmargaret/gee_herbert.html They also remember him on a plaque in the Old Boys’ High School, George Street (below left) and on the war memorial outside St Margaret’s Church in North Oxford (next 2 photos).
Herbert is in a book titled 47 Men of North Oxford which mentions the attack on Semakh and him being killed there. It also goes on to say that there was a possibility that he got married and had a child in England while he was on leave. There is nothing in his service record to indicate a trip to England at any stage, and in his will, done in 1918, he left everything to a sister. If he was married, why would he do that? Also there is no documentation in his service record stating a marriage. The only way to confirm it would be to purchase the marriage or birth records. There was a Herbert John Gee living with Eleanor Mary Emma Gee (married July 1916 in Lambeth) in Finsbury in the 1919 roll. They are also listed in the 1939 register in London. He was born in 1884 according to that register, so not the same person. There are also a few Herbert J Gee’s who served in the British army in WW1. The author also mentions Herbert was awarded a bar to his Military Cross which is incorrect.
This book is held by the museum and contains his awards, commission, pictures and letters discussed in the story.
His Victory medal was inscribed and issued by Australia House along with a large oak leaf. The Commandant at AIF Headquarters was sent his 1914-15 Star and British War Medals.
His medals are Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal with oak leaf.
ANZAC Biographies
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women
whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the
Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,
Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.