The AIF Project

Alfred GABY

Regimental number4053
Date of birth25 January 1892
Place of birthSpringfield nr Ringarooma, Tasmania
SchoolJetsonville and Scottsdale State Schools, Tasmania
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressNyabing, Katanning, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 11.75"
Weight170 lbs
Next of kinFather, Alfred Athelstone Gaby, Stowport, Tasmania
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the 12th infantry, Citizen Military Forces. Previously twice rejected for AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date6 January 1916
Place of enlistmentBlackboy Hill, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name28th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/45/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 1 April 1916
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal Roll2nd Lieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll28th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 11 August 1918
Age at death from cemetery records26
Place of burialHeath Cemetery (Plot V, Row E, Grave No. 14), Harbonnieres, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
113
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Alfred and Adelaide GABY
Medals

Victoria Cross

'For most conspicuous bravery and dash in attack, when on reaching a wire in front of an enemy trench, strong opposition was encountered. The advance was at once checked the enemy being in force about 40 yards beyond the wire, and commanding the gap with machine guns and rifles. Lieutenant Gaby found another gap in the wire, and, singlee handed, approached the strong point while machine guns and rifles were still being fired from it. Running along the parapet, still alone, and at point blank range, he emptied his revolver into the garrison, drove the crrews from their guns, and compelled the surrender of 50 of the enemy with four machine guns. He then quickly rreorganized his men, and led them on to his final objective, which he captured and consolidated. Three days later, during an attack, this officer again led his company with great dash to the objective. The enemy brought heavy rifle and machine gun fire to bear upon the line, but in the face of this heavy fire Lieutenant Gaby walked along his line of posts, encouraging his men to quickly consolidate. While engaged on this duty he was killed by an enemy sniper.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 4 March 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria, 2 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 12 June 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 25 July 1916; taken on strength, 28th Bn, 6 August 1916, and reverted to the ranks.

Appointed Corporal, 13 August 1916; Temporary Corporal, 9 September 1916; Lance Sergeant, 22 november 1916; Temporary Sergeant, 30 December 1916.

To hospital, and reverted to Corporal, 3 January 1917; transferred to 36th Casualty Clearing Station, 6 January 1917 (mumps); to Ambulance Train, 6 January 1917, and transferred to 25th Stationary Hospital, Rouen; to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 19 January 1917; rejoined Bn, 11 February 1917.

Promoted Temporary Sergeant, 24 February 1917; Sergeant, 13 March 1917.

Detached to Officer School, England, 11 May 1917; Rejoined Bn as 2nd Lieutenant, 16 June 1917.

On leave to England, 22 August 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 2 September 1917.

Promoted Lieutenant, 26 September 1917.

Wounded in action, Belgium (gassed), 29 October 1917, and admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance; transferred to 10th Casualty Clearing Station, 29 October 1917; by Ambulance Train to 10th Red Cross Hospital, Le Treport, 30 October 1917. Transferred to England, 10 November 1917, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 12 November 1917. Discharged to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 28 December 1917. Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 13 February 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 3 April 1916; rejoined Bn, 7 May 1918.

Detached to Lewis Gun School Course, 10 July 1918; rejoined Bn, 22 July 1918.

Killed in action (sniper), France, 11 August 1918.

Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal


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