| Leslie Thomas Starcevich | |
|---|---|
Leslie Starcevich |
|
| Born | 5 September 1918 Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia |
| Died | 17 November 1989 (aged 71) Esperance, Western Australia, Australia |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1941 – 1946 |
| Rank | Private |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Leslie Thomas "Tom" Starcevich VC (5 September 1918 – 17 November 1989) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.
Contents |
Starcevich grew up and later lived at Grass Patch, north of Esperance, Western Australia, and served as a private in the Australian Army's 2/43rd Battalion (raised in South Australia) during the Second World War.
The actions for which Starcevich received the VC occurred during the Borneo campaign of 1945.[1] On 28 June 1945, during the capture of Beaufort, North Borneo, the leading section of Starcevich's unit came under fire from Japanese machine-gun posts and suffered casualties. Starcevich, a Bren gunner, moved forward and assaulted each post in turn, killing five of the enemy and causing the rest to retreat. Later, when the section was again held up, he adopted similar tactics and single-handedly captured two more posts, disposing of seven of the enemy.
Starcevich was presented with the ribbon of the Victoria Cross by Brigadier W. J. V. Windeyer DSO during a unit parade at Papar in North Borneo on 12 November 1945.[2]
The track on which the action occurred was later renamed Victoria Cross Road.
Starcevich's VC is on display at the Army Museum of Western Australia, in Fremantle, Western Australia.
The Leslie Starcevich ward at the former Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood is named in his honour.