Soldier. Born Benjamin Handley Geary. He was a second lieutenant attached to the 1st battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. In April 1915 on Hill 60 near Ypres, he led his men across exposed open ground in the face of fierce enemy fire, to join survivors of the Bedfordshire Regiment at the top of the hill. For his actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
From Herne Hill: "Benjamin had grown up nearby at 131 Palace Road, Tulse Hill, was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and St Edmund’s School, Canterbury before going to Keble College Oxford in 1910. He taught in Walthamstow until the outbreak of World War I, when he joined the East Surrey Regiment. ... Having been shot in the head and losing the sight in his left eye, he was evacuated to England and promoted to Lieutenant. He then worked on ground duties and returned to France with the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. Though medically he should not have resumed active duty, he commanded a company, and later that year was wounded again. He then emigrated to Canada and in World War II served with the rank of Major in the Canadian Army. He died in 1976."
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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