Percy Valentine Storkey
Encyclopedia
Percy Valentine Storkey VC
(7 December 1891 – 3 October 1969) was an Australian 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.
He was 24 years old, and a Lieutenant
in the 19th Bn. (N.S.W.), Australian Imperial Force
during the First World War
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 7 April 1918 at Hangard Wood, France
, Lieutenant Storkey's commanding officer Captain Clarrie Wallach
was mortally wounded in an advance over 400 yards on an enemy position. Storkey took command and together with another officer and ten other ranks set about to drive through he underground to try to get behind the Germans. He surprised an enemy position containing 80 to 100 men, driving them out, killing and wounding about 30 and capturing three officers, 50 men, and one machine-gun. Lieutenant Storkey's courage and initiative, together with his skilful method of attack against such heavy odds, removed a dangerous obstacle and inspired the remainder of the troops.
Later he achieved the rank of Captain.
Storkey was born in Napier
, New Zealand and attended Napier Boys' High School
. He left his medal to his old school. In 1983 there was a controversy when the school Parents' League wanted to sell the medal to finance student scholarships. Eventually the medal was transferred to the QEII Army Memorial Museum
on long-term loan.
His Victoria Cross is now displayed at the QEII Army Memorial Museum
at Waiouru
, New Zealand, and a replica is also on display in the foyer of the Napier Boys' High School assembly hall.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(7 December 1891 – 3 October 1969) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
He was 24 years old, and a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the 19th Bn. (N.S.W.), Australian Imperial Force
Australian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 7 April 1918 at Hangard Wood, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Lieutenant Storkey's commanding officer Captain Clarrie Wallach
Clarrie Wallach
Clarrie "Doss" Wallach MC was an Australian representative rugby union forward and decorated World War I military officer. He fought at Gallipoli and in France and died on the Western Front...
was mortally wounded in an advance over 400 yards on an enemy position. Storkey took command and together with another officer and ten other ranks set about to drive through he underground to try to get behind the Germans. He surprised an enemy position containing 80 to 100 men, driving them out, killing and wounding about 30 and capturing three officers, 50 men, and one machine-gun. Lieutenant Storkey's courage and initiative, together with his skilful method of attack against such heavy odds, removed a dangerous obstacle and inspired the remainder of the troops.
Later he achieved the rank of Captain.
Storkey was born in Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
, New Zealand and attended Napier Boys' High School
Napier Boys' High School
Napier Boys High School is a state secondary school on Chambers St, in Te Awa, Napier, New Zealand. It currently has a school roll of 1200 pupils.- Sport :...
. He left his medal to his old school. In 1983 there was a controversy when the school Parents' League wanted to sell the medal to finance student scholarships. Eventually the medal was transferred to the QEII Army Memorial Museum
QEII Army Memorial Museum
The National Army Museum is the museum of the New Zealand Army. It was formerly known as the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum. It is situated 94 minutes south of Taupo on State Highway One, on the southern side of the small military town of Waiouru. The 1300 square metre museum is...
on long-term loan.
His Victoria Cross is now displayed at the QEII Army Memorial Museum
QEII Army Memorial Museum
The National Army Museum is the museum of the New Zealand Army. It was formerly known as the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum. It is situated 94 minutes south of Taupo on State Highway One, on the southern side of the small military town of Waiouru. The 1300 square metre museum is...
at Waiouru
Waiouru
Waiouru is a small town in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is on the North Island Volcanic Plateau, 25 kilometres south-east of Mount Ruapehu, and in the Ruapehu District....
, New Zealand, and a replica is also on display in the foyer of the Napier Boys' High School assembly hall.
External links
- Warren Derkenne, 'Storkey, Percy Valentine (1893–1969)', Australian Dictionary of BiographyAustralian Dictionary of BiographyThe Australian Dictionary of Biography is a national, co-operative enterprise, founded and maintained by the Australian National University to produce authoritative biographical articles on eminent people in Australia's history....
, Volume 12, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp 108–109. - Location of grave and VC medal (Middlesex)
- New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross (brief biography details)