Alberto Costa, MP for Leicestershire, has paid tribute to ‘local war hero’ Captain Robert Gee in the Houses of Parliament by placing a commemorative stake in his honour in Parliament’s Garden of Remembrance.
Captain Gee was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry following to his actions on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and was then awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V, the highest and most prestigious military award, for bravery at the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.
Captain Gee was born in Leicester in 1876, before being orphaned at the age of 9 at which time he was placed at the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes for Children. He then joined the Royal Fusiliers in 1893 at just 16 years old. Following his military service, Captain Gee was then elected Conservative MP for Bosworth in 1924.
Alberto laid a commemorative stake with Captain Gee’s name in the Garden of Remembrance at the Houses of Parliament, which was recently opened by the Speaker of the House of Commons for MPs to pay their respects to those who have served in our armed forces.
Alberto said, “I was honoured to lay a commemorative stake in Parliament’s Garden of Remembrance on behalf of the people of South Leicestershire in memory of this local war hero. Captain Robert Gee led an incredible life that took him from the trenches of the Somme to the green benches of the House of Commons, and I do hope his story serves to inspire future generations”.
Alberto added, “I am hugely proud of Captain Gee’s long association with our part of the county, and I was very pleased to pay tribute to his extraordinary bravery and gallantry that saw him awarded both the Military Cross and Victoria Cross. The tremendous sacrifice of so many during the First and Second World Wars will never be forgotten, and I was very pleased to pay tribute to Captain Gee’s life and legacy at the Houses of Parliament”.
Alberto is pictured above placing a commemorative stake in memory of Captain Robert Gee VC MC at the Garden of Remembrance at the Houses of Parliament.
