Robert Gee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Gee
VC MC MP
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| Born | 7 May 1876 Leicester, Leicestershire, England |
| Died | 2 August 1960 (aged 84) Perth, Western Australia |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1893–1918 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | The Royal Fusiliers Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Victoria CrossMilitary Cross |
| Other work | Member of Parliament |
Robert Gee (born May 7, 1876 – died August 2, 1960) was a brave soldier from England. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery in the British military. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP), which means he was elected to help make laws for the country.
Contents
Robert Gee's Early Life and Army Start
Robert Gee was born in Leicester, England. When he was only nine years old, he became an orphan, meaning both his parents had died. He was sent to a workhouse in Leicester, which was a place where poor people could live and work. Later, he moved to the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes, which were special homes for orphaned children.
In 1893, when he was 17, Robert Gee joined the British Army. He worked his way up through the ranks. In 1915, he became a second lieutenant, which is an officer's rank.
Bravery in World War I
Robert Gee showed great courage during World War I. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on July 1, 1916, during the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He bravely encouraged his soldiers even when he was in danger. He was wounded but refused to leave the battlefield. He kept urging his men forward, even after a shell explosion threw him into the air.
He was 41 years old and a temporary captain in the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers. He earned the Victoria Cross for his amazing bravery on November 30, 1917. This happened in France during a German counter-attack in the Battle of Cambrai (1917).
During the battle, the enemy captured his brigade's headquarters and an ammunition storage area. Captain Gee found himself captured, but he managed to escape! He quickly gathered some of his staff members and attacked the enemy. Two companies of infantry followed him closely. He cleared the area and set up a strong defense.
Then, he saw an enemy machine gun still firing. With a revolver in each hand, he bravely went forward and captured the machine gun. He killed eight of the enemy crew members. He was wounded during this action, but he refused to have his wound treated until he had made sure the defense was fully organized.
After these events, he later moved to a different army unit, the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment.
Life After the War: Politics and New Beginnings
After World War I ended, Robert Gee decided to get involved in politics. He wanted to become a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected by the public to represent them in the House of Commons, where laws are made.
He first tried to become an MP in 1918 but did not win. In 1921, he ran for election again in a special election called a by-election. He ran against Ramsay MacDonald, who was a pacifist (someone who believes war is wrong). Many people talked about the difference between Gee, a war hero with a Victoria Cross, and MacDonald, who was against the war. Robert Gee won this election and became an MP.
He held his seat in Parliament until the next general election in 1922, when he lost. He tried to win other elections in 1923 but was not successful.
In 1924, he was elected as an MP for the Bosworth area. However, he became unhappy with political life. In 1927, he resigned from Parliament because he had moved to Western Australia and did not plan to return to England.
Robert Gee passed away in Perth, Western Australia, when he was 84 years old. His Victoria Cross, the medal he earned for his bravery, is now on display at the Fusilier Museum in the Tower of London, England.
See also
- William Buckingham VC, who also passed through the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes
