Dress Miniature V.C. Groups from the Collection of the Late David Harvey

The mounted group of eight miniature dress medals attributed to Captain R. Gee, V.C., M.C., Royal Fusiliers, comprising: Victoria Cross; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved with the initials ‘R.G.’; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn (but reverse pin for wearing removed), very fine and better (8) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Dress Miniature V.C. Groups from the Collection of the Late David Harvey.

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Robert Gee, who was born in Leicester in May 1876, had already seen active service in the Gallipoli operations as a Company Commander in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, prior to winning his V.C. in the Cambrai operations of November 1917:

‘For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and determination when an attack by a strong enemy force pierced our line and captured a Brigade H.Q. and ammunition dump. Captain 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 and supported by two companied of infantry. By his own personal bravery and prompt action he, aided by his orderlies, cleared the locality. Captain 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 organized’ (London Gazette 11 Januarfy 1918 refers).

Gee eventually retired to Australia, where he died at Perth in August 1960.