War hero who rose out of poverty to Parliament is honoured with plaque
VICTORIA CROSS WINNER REMEMBERED
A war hero awarded the Victoria Cross and who later went on to become an MP has been honoured with a green plaque by Leicestershire County Council.
Captain Robert Gee, who rose from a difficult, orphaned childhood in the workhouse to become MP for Bosworth, has been given the honour on the side of the Bosworth Conservative Association building in Hinckley.
Captain Gee, who won his VC in the First World War, was elected Bosworth MP in 1924, but was said to have become disillusioned with Parliament within a couple of years and emigrated to Australia.
He died there in 1960, aged 84. His VC is displayed at the Fusilier Museum in the Tower of London.
Robert was born on May 7, 1876 to Robert and Amy Gee, who were both framework knitters in the cloth industry.
He lived in Metcalf Street, at the time by far the poorest part of the city.
His parents both died in their 50s, and Robert, just before his ninth birthday, was sent to Leicester Workhouse, before later being admitted to the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes for orphaned children, where he lived until 1890.
He enlisted in the Army in 1893, joining the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. He was commissioned in 1915 and served in the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign against the Turks, and was promoted to Acting Captain.
The following year, back on the Western Front, he was seriously wounded on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme and was awarded the Military Cross for displaying outstanding leadership.
Then in November 1917, Captain Gee single-handedly attacked a German machine gun post at Masnieres and Les Rues Vertes in France.
He captured the gun, killing eight of the Germans manning the post, despite being wounded.
It was this action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross and decorated by King George V at Buckingham Palace in February 1918.
The citation for the VC, as featured on The Fusilier Museum London’s website, read as follows:
“For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and determination when attacked by a strong enemy force, pierced our line and captured a brigade headquarters and ammunition dump.
“Capt Gee, finding himself a prisoner, killed one of the enemy with his spiked stick and succeeded in escaping.
“He then organised a party of the brigade staff, with which he attacked the enemy fiercely, closely followed by two companies of infantry.
“By his own personal bravery and prompt action, he, aided by his orderlies, cleared the locality.
“Capt Gee established a defensive flank on the outskirts of the village, then finding that an enemy machine gun was still in action, with a revolver in each hand and followed by one man, he rushed and captured the gun, killing eight of the crew.
At this time he was wounded, but refused to have the wound dressed until he was satisfied that the defence was organised”.
After the action, he allowed himself to be taken to an aid station to receive treatment for a gunshot wound.
He returned to France during April 1918 but was evacuated home again, suffering from his previous injuries.
After the war, Captain Gee began his political career, becoming Member of Parliament for East
Woolwich in 1921, when he defeated the future Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay McDonald. He lost his seat in 1922 and, after two unsuccessful campaigns in Newcastle and Bishop Auckland, returned to Parliament in 1924 as MP for Bosworth. He emigrated to Australia in 1926. Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Councillor Dan Harrison, said: “Captain Robert Gee was a true war hero, who was awarded the highest military honour.
“He then went on to serve in another field – that of politics.
“He was a remarkable man – going from workhouse and orphanage to a life of incredible heroism and service and I am delighted to be able to unveil this green plaque in his honour.” More information on the scheme can be found by visiting: