Regimental number | 456 |
Place of birth | Ross, Tasmania |
Religion | Methodist |
Occupation | Engine driver |
Address | Avoca, Tasmania |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 27 |
Height | 5' 8.5" |
Weight | 189 lbs |
Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Eileen Rose McGee, Avoca, Tasmania |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Claremont, Tasmania |
Rank on enlistment | Lance Corporal |
Unit name | 40th Battalion, B Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/57/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 40th Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Victoria Cross Killed in Action 13 October 1917. Recommendation date: |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Age at death from cemetery records | 29 |
Place of burial | Tyne Cot Cemetery (Plot XX, Row D, Grave No. 1), Passchendaele, Belgium |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 132 |
Medals |
Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous bravery when, in the advance to the final objective, Sergeant McGee led his platoon with great dash and bravery, though strongly opposed, and under heavy shell fire. His platoon was sufferring severely, and the advance of the company was stopped by machine gun fire from a "pill box" post. Single handed, Sergeant McGee rushed the post armed only with a revolver. He shot some of the crew, and captured the rest, and thus enabled the advance to poceed. He reorganized the remanants of his platoon and was foremost in the remainder of the advance; and during consolidation of the position, he did splendid work. The non-commissioned officer's coolness and bravery were conspicuous, and contributed largely to the success of the company's operations Sergeant McGee was subsequently killed in action.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Hobart, 1 July 1916; disembarked, Devonport, England, 22 August 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 23 November 1916. Promoted Corporal, 4 December 1916; promoted Sergeant, 12 January 1917. Attached to 3rd Division School, 25 February 1917; rejoined unit from attachment, 29 April 1917. Killed in action, Belgium, 12 October 1917. Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal |