Australian Victoria Cross Recipient
Captain Percy Herbert Cherry
Unit
26th Battalion
Born
4 June 1895 at Drysdale, Victoria
Date of action
26 March 1917
Place
Lagnicourt, France
Details
Cherry’s battalion was ordered to storm the village of Lagnicourt. His company encountered fierce opposition and when all the other officers had been killed or wounded he led his men forward and cleared the enemy from the village. At one stage a stoutly defended crater temporarily checked the attackers. Cherry sent for mortars but before they were brought down on the crater Cherry rushed the position under Lewis gun and rifle grenade cover. After the crater was taken Cherry and his party pushed through the village. Sensing the possibility of counter-attacks, he kept his party in position to strengthen the sector. The Germans did counter-attack and the battle raged all day long. Next day the Germans shelled the Australian positions killing Cherry among others.
Died
27 March 1917
Buried or Commemorated
Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy, France
Current location of the VC
Australian War Memorial