• Victoria Cross: 1914-1918

Date of birth:

October 21st, 1890 (Beaconsfield/Tasmania, Australia)

Date of death:

December 5th, 1959 (Hobart/Tasmania, Australia)

Nationality:

Australian

Percy Statton was a farmer who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916 despite his wife's objections. Serving with the 40th Battalion on the Western Front, he earned the Military Medal at Messines in 1917 for leading supply parties under heavy fire. He was wounded twice, including in a gas attack and a gunshot to the shoulder.

His most celebrated act came during the Battle of Proyart in August 1918. For this, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

After the war, Statton returned to Tasmania, divorced his first wife, and remarried twice. He worked in the timber industry and participated in bushfire rescue efforts in 1934.

During WWII, he served as a lieutenant in the Volunteer Defence Corps. Statton died of stomach cancer in Hobart in 1959 and was given a full military funeral. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial.

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Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

40th Australian Battalion, 10th Australian Brigade, 3rd Australian Division, Australian Military Forces

Awarded on:

August 16th, 1917

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

40th Australian Battalion, 10th Australian Brigade, 3rd Australian Division, Australian Military Forces

Awarded on:

September 27th, 1918

"For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in action when in command of a platoon which reached its objective, the remainder of the battalion being held up by heavy machine-gun fire. He skilfully engaged two machine-gun posts with Lewis gun fire, enabling the remainder of his battalion to advance.

The advance of the battalion on his left had been brought to a standstill by heavy enemy machine-gun fire, and the first of our assaulting detachments to reach the machine-gun posts were put out of action in taking the first gun. Armed only with a revolver, in broad daylight, Sjt. Statton at once rushed four enemy machine-gun posts in succession, disposing of two of them, and killing five of the enemy. The remaining two posts retired and were wiped out by Lewis-gun fire.

Later in the evening, under heavy machine-gun fire, he went out again and brought in two badly wounded men.

Sjt. Statton set a magnificent example of quick decision, and the success of the attacking troops was largely due to his determined gallantry."

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1953

• - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 16 AUGUST, 1917
  - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 27 SEPTEM?£R, 1918
  - Medal Group