Lewis McGee

Military Person

1888 – 1917

 Credit »
92

Who was Lewis McGee?

Lewis McGee VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. As a sergeant in the Australian Imperial Force, McGee was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Battle of Broodseinde—part of the Passchendaele offensive—on 4 October 1917. As his platoon came under heavy machine gun fire from a German pillbox, McGee rushed alone across open ground towards the emplacement. Armed solely with a revolver, he shot the gunners and captured the garrison. He then organised a bombing party, and led the group in the seizure of a second machine gun post.

Born in Tasmania, McGee gained employment as an engine driver with the Tasmanian Department of Railways. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force during March 1916, for service in the First World War. He was posted to the 40th Battalion, and completed training in Tasmania and the United Kingdom, where he was promoted to lance corporal. Transferring to the Western Front in November 1916, McGee was rapidly promoted to corporal then sergeant, and took part in the Battle of Messines.

We need you!

Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web!

Born
May 13, 1888
Campbell Town
Nationality
  • Australia
Profession
Died
Oct 12, 1917
Passendale
Resting place
Tyne Cot

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

Use the citation below to add to a bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"Lewis McGee." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/lewis_mcgee>.

Discuss this Lewis McGee biography with the community:

0 Comments

    Browse Biographies.net