Percy Storkey

He led a small party behind a hidden enemy machine-gun post.

Percy Valentine Storkey was born at Napier, New Zealand, on 9 September 1893. An outstanding pupil at Napier Boys' High School, he began university studies in Wellington before moving to Sydney in 1911. He worked while studying law at the University of Sydney.

Storkey enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in May 1915 and received a commission that September. After training overseas, he joined the 19th Battalion in France in November 1916. A thigh wound soon sent him to hospital. He returned to the fighting, suffered another injury during the Ypres campaign and rejoined his battalion late in 1917.

On 7 April 1918, his company attacked near Hangard Wood, south of Villers-Bretonneux. Heavy machine-gun fire caused severe casualties, including the wounding of the company commander. Storkey took command and led a handful of soldiers through the trees to reach the rear of the enemy position.

Joined by another officer and several men, he attacked before the defenders could react effectively. The small party killed or wounded numerous opponents and captured more than fifty prisoners and a machine gun. His determined leadership persuaded the enemy that a much larger force had reached its rear. King George V presented his Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace in the summer of 1918.

After the war, Storkey resumed his studies and graduated in law in 1921. He entered legal practice, became a crown prosecutor and then a district court judge in New South Wales. He married Minnie Gordon in 1922. His legal career lasted until retirement in 1955.

Storkey and his wife then settled at Teddington, England. He died on 3 October 1969 and was cremated at Hanworth. He bequeathed his Victoria Cross to Napier Boys' High School; it later went on long-term loan to the national Army museum at Waiouru.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and devotion to duty when in charge of a platoon in attack. On emerging from the wood the enemy trench line was encountered and Lt. Storkey found himself with six men. While continuing his move forward a large enemy party – about 80 to 100 strong – armed with several machine guns, was noticed to be holding up the advance of the troops on the right. Lt. Storkey immediately decided to attack this party from the flank and rear, and while moving forward in the attack was joined by Lt. Lipscomb and four men. Under the leadership of Lt. Storkey, this small party of two officers and ten other ranks charged the enemy position with fixed bayonets, driving the enemy out, killing and wounding about thirty, and capturing three officers and fifty men, also one machine gun. The splendid courage shown by this officer in quickly deciding his course of action, and his skilful method of attacking against such great odds, removed a dangerous obstacle to the advance of the troops on the right, and inspired the remainder of our small party with the utmost confidence when advancing to the objective line.

Sixth Supplement to The London Gazette of 4 June 1918. 7 June 1918, Numb. 30733, p. 6775