At the ANZAC Day wreath laying ceremony a special acknowledgement was made for Leslie Thomas “Tom” Starcevich, VC, from Grass Patch.
Starcevich’s brother and Korean War veteran, Stan Starcevich (94) presented a wreath at the War Memorial to remember Tom’s selfless service and the WW2 act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Tom Starcevich was one of ten children and grew up in Grass Patch.
After enlistment he was sent to fight in North Africa with the Army’s 2/43 Infantry Battalion and was injured at the first battle of El Alamein on July 17, 1942.
While fighting in the Asia Pacific campaign, Starcevich’s daring actions were instrumental in saving his company and in the overall capture of the town of Beaufort.
Tom Starcevich, single-handedly, twice in one day, overtook two Japanese posts that were assaulting and inflicting casualties on his company.
Eliminating several of the enemy and causing the others to flee, he acted courageously, without concern for his own life, to protect his fellow-soldiers.
On November 12, 1945, he was presented with the VC for his act of valour.
Stan Starcevich remembered and honoured his brother’s courage with a wreath laid at the War Memorial.
The RSL likewise acknowledged his heroic actions on that day.Â
