2nd Lt BH Geary - VC plaque

[Moriaty]

The VC commemorative paving stone to 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin Handley Geary, 1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment is to be found in Brockwell Park, south London, by the Herne Hill entrance to the park. It was recently unveiled by the Mayor of Lambeth and descendants of Benjamin Geary VC were present. Prayers were said by the Vicar of the local church of Holy Trinity and the citation was read by General the Lord Dannatt. Also at the ceremony were representatives of Lambeth Council, the East Surrey Regiment and Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC.

His VC is in the Canadian War Museum in Ottowa

The Victoria Cross Citation reads:

“For most conspicuous bravery and determination on Hill Sixty near Ypres on 20^th and 21^st April 1915, when he held the left crater with his platoon, some men of The Bedfordshire Regiment and a few reinforcements who came up during the evening and the night.

The crater was first exposed to a very heavy artillery fire, which broke down the defences and afterwards, throughout the night, to repeated bomb attacks which filled it with dead and wounded. Each attack, however, was repulsed, mainly owing to the splendid personal gallantry and example of Second Lieutenant Geary. At one time he used a rifle with great effect, at another threw hand grenades and exposed himself with entire disregard to danger, in order to see, by the light of flares, where the enemy were coming on. In the intervals between the attacks, he spent his whole time arranging for the ammunition supply and for reinforcements. He was severely wounded just before daybreak on 21^stApril”.

The date of the act of bravery was 20 April 1915, Hill 60, Ypres, Belgium

London Gazette 15 October 1915

Major Benjamin Handley Geary VC (29 June 1891 – 26 May 1976).

Benjamin Geary was born in Marylebone, grew up at 131 Palace Road, Tulse Hill [close to Brockwell Park], was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, he then went up to Keble College, Oxford, in 1910. After graduating he taught at Forest School in Walthamstow (then in Essex, now absorbed into Greater London) 1913–14. On the outbreak of World War I he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th East Surrey Regiment. Soon afterwards he was sent to France and attached to the 1st Battalion.

On 20 and 21 April 1915 the 1st Battalion was in action on Hill 60 near Ypres. 2nd Lieutenant Geary led his men across exposed open ground swept by fierce enemy fire to join survivors of the Bedfordshire Regiment in a crater at the top of the hill. Geary’s subsequent actions earned him the VC.

Geary was evacuated to England having been shot in the head and lost the sight in his left eye; his right eye was also seriously impaired. He was promoted to Lieutenant, worked on ground duties with the Royal Flying Corps, returned to France (still with the RFC) in 1916 and was appointed acting Captain. In January 1918 he rejoined the 1st East Surrey Regiment in Italy, still as acting Captain, and commanded a company although medically he should not have returned to active duty. Later that year he returned to France and was wounded again. He retired from Army in 1919 with the rank of Captain.

Geary joined the church and served as Chaplain to the Forces 1926–27. He then resigned and emigrated to Canada. During World War II he served with the Canadian Army and achieved the rank of Major. After the war he was Sergeant-at-Arms of the Ontario Legislature 1947–71, then retired but was for a time historian for the Legislature. His grave and memorial are at St Mark’s Church Cemetery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

[sassenach]

Came across this by chance. My uncle, Pte Harry Gravestock, was killed in the action in which Lieutenant Geary won the VC, on 20/21 April 1915.