| Regimental number | 4053 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Springfield nr Ringarooma, Tasmania |
| School | Jetsonville and Scottsdale State Schools, Tasmania |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Nyabing, Katanning, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 24 |
| Height | 5' 11.75" |
| Weight | 170 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Alfred Athelstone Gaby, Stowport, Tasmania |
| Previous military service | Served for 3 years in the 12th infantry, Citizen Military Forces. Previously twice rejected for AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Blackboy Hill, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 28th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/45/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 28th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 26 |
| Place of burial | Heath 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: |
| 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 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
