The AIF Project

Percy Herbert CHERRY

Regimental number1023
Date of birth4 June 1895
Place of birthDrysdale, Victoria
SchoolState school and private
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationOrchardist
AddressCradoc, Huon, Tasmania
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 8"
Weight133 lbs
Next of kinFather, Mr J G Cherry, Cradoc, Huon, Tasmania
Previous military serviceServed as Lieutenant, 93rd Senior Cadets; still serving at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date5 March 1915
Place of enlistmentFranklin, Tasmania
Rank on enlistmentQuartermaster Sergaent
Unit name26th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/43/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 29 June 1915
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll26th Battalion
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: 26th Battalion Machine Gun Officer
Promotion date: 8 December 1915

Lieutenant


Unit: 26th Battalion
Promotion date: 25 August 1916

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Cross


'For conspicuous bravery and gallantry in action in the attack on Malt Trench North of Warlencourt.'
Recommendation date: 11 April 1917

Victoria Cross


'For gallantry and devotion to duty beyond description in the face of fierce opposition during the attack on Lagnicourt, being mainly instrumental in beating off enemy counterattack. (Later killed.)'
Recommendation date: Unspecified

FateKilled in Action 27 March 1917
Place of death or woundingLagnicourt, France
Age at death21.9
Place of burialQueant Road Cemetery (Plot VIII, Row C, Grave No 10), Buissy, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
107
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company in the attack with great gallantry and captured the enemy's position together with two machine guns. Later although wounded, he continued to command his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133
Date: 21 August 1917

Victoria Cross

'For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and leadership when in command of a company detailed to storm and clear a village. After all the officers of his company had become casualties, he carried on with care and determination, in the face of fierce opposition, and cleared the village of the enemy. He sent frequent reports of progress made, and when held up for some time by an enemy strong point he organized machine gun and bomb parties and captured the position. His leadership, coolness, and bravery set a wonderful example to his men. Having cleared the village, he took charge of the situation and beat off the most resolute and heavy counter attack made by the enemy. Wounded about 6.30 a.m., he refused to leave his post, and there remained, encouraging all to hold out at all costs, until, about 4.30 p.m., this very gallant officer was killed by an enemy shell.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 140
Date: 27 August 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 4 September 1915. Promoted Sergeant-Major, 'D' Company, 13 September 1915. Wounded in action, 1 December 1915 (bomb wound, face and head), and admitted to 7th Field Ambulance; transferred to 13th Casualty Clearing Station, 2 December 1915; to Mudros, 2 December 1915; to Alexandria on board HT 'Oxfordshire', and disembarked, 3 December 1915, and admitted to No 2 General Hospital, Cairo (wound slight). Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 8 December 1915. Transferred to Helouan Convalescent Depot, 20 January 1916; discharged to duty, 26 January 1916.

Transferred to 7th Brigade Machine Gun Company, 2 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 14 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 21 March 1916.

Wounded in action, France, 5 August 1916 (gun shot wound, neck), and admitted to 44th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred same day to Ambulance train, and admitted to 2nd Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, 6 August 1916. Invalided to England, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 12 August 1916; discharged to duty, 16 September 1916.

Promoted Lieutenant, 25 August 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 8 November 1916. transferred to 26th Bn, 1 December 1916. Appointed Temporary Captain in charge of 'A' Company, 9 December 1916.

Wounded in action, 2 March 1917; remained at duty.

Killed in action, France, 27 March 1917.

Buried at a spot near Lagnicourt near Bapaume.

Medals: Victoria Cross, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal


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