Alfred Gaby

Early life

Alfred Edward Gaby was born in Springfield near Ringarooma, Tasmania. He was the second-youngest of 10 children born to Alfred Gaby and his wife Adelaide Whiteway. Alfred attended both Jetsonville and Scottsdale state schools before leaving to work on the family farm.

The military was already a large part of the Gaby family. Two of Alfred's older brothers, Reginald and Ernest, served in the South African War (Second Boer War). Both enlisted without the other's knowledge before reuniting on the front. Even before World War I started, Alfred was keen to continue the tradition. He joined the local militia's 12th Infantry Regiment, serving for 3 years in the Launceston Regiment.

As a young man, Alfred moved to Western Australia where his brothers, Charles and Percival, had settled. Alfred worked as a farm labourer in Katanning.

When war broke out in 1914, the Gabys and many members of the local rifle club volunteered to serve. Alfred and at least 2 of his brothers – Charles Gaby and Percival Frederick Gaby – enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during World War I.

SLWA 8292B/A/2902-1

Wartime service

Alfred was rejected 2 times from AIF enlistment camps in Western Australia because of a left inguinal hernia. With a fresh scar from corrective surgery for the hernia, he was accepted into the 10th reinforcements of the 28th Australian Infantry Battalion in January 1916. Alfred underwent basic training in Western Australia. He was deployed to Europe later that year, joining the 28th Battalion in France in August 1916.

Alfred's previous experience in the Launceston Regiment meant swift promotion through the ranks. After enlisting as a private, his promotion to sergeant came within a year of arriving at the Western Front. He was deployed to an Officer School in England in early 1917. Alfred rejoined his battalion as a second lieutenant in June 1917. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in late 1917.

During 1917, Alfred took part in the Third Battle of Ypres, including the Battle of Polygon Wood and the Battle of Passchendaele.

Alfred's commanding officer Colonel Herbert Collett later said of him:

His work during this period was particularly sound and called for much favorable [sic] comment from the men in the ranks.

[The Southern Districts Advocate, 15 November 1920, page 2]

Alfred left the front when he suffered from a gas attack in Belgium in October 1917. He made the journey through France to England for medical treatment. He spent most of this time at the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth.

In a letter published in the Southern Districts Advocate newspaper on 23 February 1918, Alfred wrote of the journey:

The gas got into my breathing apparatus, and I had to speak in a low whisper for a time. Came over here a fortnight ago on a stretcher. We took three days from Le Tuport to here; were held up two days at Le Havre on account of rough weather; but the trip was quite good, as the Red Cross trains and boats are a marvel in comfortable travelling.

By early 1918, Alfred had recovered and rejoined his unit at the front. In August 1918, he fought in the Battle of Amiens. This battle was crucial in helping to end the war. German General Eric von Ludendorff described Amiens as 'the black day of the German Army.'

Alfred was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Battle of Amiens while in command of his company.

Three days later, on 11 August 1918, a sniper shot and killed Alfred while he was leading his company under heavy machine-gun fire. He was 26 years old.

AWM P00735.004

Victoria Cross

Alfred was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

For most conspicuous bravery and dash in attack, when, on reaching the wire in front of an enemy trench, strong opposition was encountered. The advance was at once checked, the enemy being in force about forty yards beyond the wire, and commanding the gap with machine guns and rifles. Lt. Gaby found another gap in the wire, and, single-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 crews from their guns, and compelled the surrender of fifty of the enemy with four machine guns. He then quickly reorganised 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 Lt. 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.

[Supplement to the London Gazette No. 30982, published 29 October 1918, p 12802.]

Commemoration

The town of Katanning in Western Australia held a service in 1920 to honour Alfred with the unveiling of a memorial tablet. Many guests attended the unveiling, including Alfred's commanding officer Colonel Herbert Collett DSO CMG VD. News in the West Australian newspaper read:

On Sunday an impressive service was held in the Katanning Town Hall, the occasion being the unveiling of a memorial tablet to Lieutenant A. E. Gaby, V.C., of the 28th Battalion A.I.F. The unveiling ceremony was performed by Lieut.-Colonel H. B. Collett, C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D., late CO. of the 28th Battalion, and there were present a large number of returned soldiers, the majority of whom were in uniform, as well as of the general public. Prior to the unveiling a service was held at which Revs. J.R. Edmonds and G.E. Hipwell, both late A.I.F., officiated, the Katanning Brass Band rendering appropriate music. The form the memorial has been given as a bronze Victoria Cross, an exact replica of the original, two feet long. mounted on a white marble slab bearing an appropriate inscription and stating that the Katanning branch of the R.S.L. had erected it to the memory of a fallen comrade.

A stone memorial is dedicated to Alfred in the town of Scottsdale, Tasmania, where he attended school.

Alfred's Victoria Cross medal was presented to his father Alfred Gaby Senior who in turn, passed it on to Alfred's brother Reginald Gaby. The medal is now held at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart along with Alfred's other war service medals.

Alfred's grave is in the Heath Cemetery in Harbonnières, France. The inscription on his headstone, written by his brother Reginald, reads 'He died that others might live.'

Panel 113 of the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial includes Alfred's name.