Benjamin Handley Geary


Major Benjamin Handley Geary VC was a British Army recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Geary was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and St Edmund's School, Canterbury, then went up to Keble College, Oxford, in 1910. After graduating he taught at Forest School in Walthamstow 1913–14. On the outbreak of World War I he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Soon afterwards he was sent to France and attached to the 1st Battalion.

VC

On 20 and 21 April 1915 the 1st Battalion was in action on Hill 60 near Ypres. Second 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. The citation reads:

Later life

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 in 1916 and was appointed acting Captain. In January 1918 he rejoined the 1st Battalion 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 took Holy Orders in the Church of England, having studied at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and after other Church posts 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.

The medal

Geary's Victoria Cross and other medals are displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.