Lawrence Dominic Mccarthy
Lieutenant, 16th Battalion * Australian Imperial Force
- Register No.
- 767 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 16th Battalion * Australian Imperial Force (register: 16th Battalion, AIF) all AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 23 August 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 14th December, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 21st January 1892 at York, Western Australia
- Died
- 25th May 1975 at Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- Springvale Crematorium, Melbourne and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Digest of citation
On the morning of 23rd August 1918, near Madam Wood, to the east of Vermandovillers, France, the battalion having achieved its objective without serious opposition, met opposition on its left flank from well-placed machine guns. Realising the situation, Lieutenant McCarthy led the engagement on the nearest machine-gun post, but the attacking troops still failed to get forward. Lieutenant: McCarthy left his men to continue their fire whilst he, with two others, crossing quickly over open ground came upon the block. Having outdistanced the other two, despite serious opposition, he alone captured the gun and continued to fight his way along the trench, inflicting extremely heavy casualties and capturing three more guns. He was 700 yards away from his original starting-point and was joined by one of his men. Together they bombed up the trench until they met up with another adjoining unit. Lieutenant McCarthy during this advance had killed 20 of the enemy single-handed, captured five machine guns and taken 50 prisoners. His action saved a critical situation, thus preventing many casualties. It was partly because of his determination, that the final objective was taken
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
.McCARTHY, Lawrence Dominic. (reg No. 767).
Lieutenant. 16th Battalion * Australian Imperial Force.
London Gazetted on 14th December, 1918.
Born on 21st January 1892 at York, Western Australia.
Died on 25th May 1975 at Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Memorials at Springvale Crematorium, Melbourne and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: On the morning of 23rd August 1918, near Madam Wood, to the east of Vermandovillers, France, the battalion having achieved its objective without serious opposition, met opposition on its left flank from well-placed machine guns. Realising the situation, Lieutenant McCarthy led the engagement on the nearest machine-gun post, but the attacking troops still failed to get forward. Lieutenant: McCarthy left his men to continue their fire whilst he, with two others, crossing quickly over open ground came upon the block. Having outdistanced the other two, despite serious opposition, he alone captured the gun and continued to fight his way along the trench, inflicting extremely heavy casualties and capturing three more guns. He was 700 yards away from his original starting-point and was joined by one of his men. Together they bombed up the trench until they met up with another adjoining unit. Lieutenant McCarthy during this advance had killed 20 of the enemy single-handed, captured five machine guns and taken 50 prisoners. His action saved a critical situation, thus preventing many casualties. It was partly because of his determination, that the final objective was taken.
*Southern and Western Australian Battalion.
*Southern and Western Australian Battalion.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Springvale Crematorium, Melbourne and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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