Percy Valentine Storkey
Lieutenant, 19th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force
- Register No.
- 1187 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 19th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force (register: 19th Battalion, AIF) all AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 7 April 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 7th June 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 7th December 1891 at Blackheath, London
- Died
- 3rd October 1969 at Teddington, Middlesex
- Memorial / grave
- Cremated at South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hanworth, Middlesex and remembered on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
- Medal held by
- the Army Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand
Digest of citation
Lieutenant Storkey showed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty whilst leaving Hangard Wood leading his platoon, in an attack. As they emerged from the wood they encountered an enemy trench. Lieutenant Storkey was left with only six men. As they continued to move forward they noticed that a large enemy party, of approximately 100 men equipped with several machine-guns, were holding up the advance on the right. Immediately, Lieutenant Storkey decided to attack the enemy from the flank and the rear. Whilst they were moving forward in the attack, he was joined by Lieutenant Lipscomb and another four men. Undertaking the leadership, Lieutenant Storkey, the other officer and the 10 men, fixed bayonets and charged the enemy position, driving them out, capturing three officers and 50 men, killing and wounding 30 others. They also captured one machine-gun. This skilful action, against a greater enemy force, removed a great handicap to the advance of the troops on the right. Lieutenant Storkey's leadership inspired the small party, giving them confidence to advance to the objective line
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
STORKEY, Percy Valentine. (reg No. 1187).
Lieutenant. 19th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force.
London Gazetted on 7th June 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Army Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand.
Born 7th December 1891 at Blackheath, London.
Died on 3rd October 1969 at Teddington, Middlesex. Cremated at South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hanworth, Middlesex and remembered on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: Lieutenant Storkey showed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty whilst leaving Hangard Wood leading his platoon, in an attack. As they emerged from the wood they encountered an enemy trench. Lieutenant Storkey was left with only six men. As they continued to move forward they noticed that a large enemy party, of approximately 100 men equipped with several machine-guns, were holding up the advance on the right. Immediately, Lieutenant Storkey decided to attack the enemy from the flank and the rear. Whilst they were moving forward in the attack, he was joined by Lieutenant Lipscomb and another four men. Undertaking the leadership, Lieutenant Storkey, the other officer and the 10 men, fixed bayonets and charged the enemy position, driving them out, capturing three officers and 50 men, killing and wounding 30 others. They also captured one machine-gun. This skilful action, against a greater enemy force, removed a great handicap to the advance of the troops on the right. Lieutenant Storkey's leadership inspired the small party, giving them confidence to advance to the objective line.
* New South Wales.
Additional information:. Captain Storkey was decorated by King George V at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
Additional information
Captain Storkey was decorated by King George V at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
* New South Wales.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Cremated at South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hanworth, Middlesex and remembered 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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