Lewis McGee (soldier)

Lewis McGee
Lewis McGee
Born	(1888-05-13)13 May 1888 Campbell Town, Tasmania, Australia
Died	12 October 1917(1917-10-12) (aged 29) Passchendaele salient, Belgium
Buried	Tyne Cot Cemetery
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Imperial Force
Years of service	1916–17
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	40th Battalion
Battles/wars	First World War Western Front Battle of Messines Battle of Passchendaele Battle of Broodseinde First Battle of Passchendaele  †
Awards	Victoria Cross

Lewis McGee, VC (13 May 1888 – 12 October 1917) 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. In March 1916, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force 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. He was killed in action on 12 October 1917 during the First Battle of Passchendaele, eight days after his Victoria Cross exploit.