Gaby, Alfred Edward, VC (Lieutenant)

Collection relating to service of 4053 Lieutenant Alfred Edward Gaby, VC, 28 Battalion, France, 1916-1918. Collection includes photostat copies of Gaby's letters to his brother Ern [Gaby] and his friend Bill Drew in Western Australia, written between April 1916 and August 1918, describing active service in France, hospitalisation, leave and training in England. Copies made by Australian War Memorial, Melbourne, 1927. Location of originals unknown.

This collection, covering a period of more than two years active service, reveals Lieutenant Gaby's good humoured stoicism, genuine love for his country and for the farming life he left behind. Throughout the letters he displays a sharp wit and a realistic, intelligent understanding of his situation, military life, and the war in general. Features of his correspondence are his delight in meeting soldiers from all over the world, his concern for disabled returning soldiers and for the dependants of men who have died in the war, and an obvious enjoyment of much of military life.

Biographical note: Lieutenant Alfred Edward Gaby, VC, 28 Battalion, AIF, who on 11 August 1918 was killed in action east of Framerville, near Amiens. Other biographical details concerning him are: farmer; of Scottsdale, Tasmania; born Springfield, Scottsdale; educated at Jetsonville and Scottsdale state schools, Tasmania; age at time of death 26 years 7 months. VC awarded posthumously.