FIRST NAPIER V.C.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1918, Page 4

FIRST NAPIER V.C.

UEOT. P. V. STORKEY. Lieutenant P. V. Storkey, son of Mr Slid Mrs S. J. Storkey, of Jfefeoii Crescent, has been awarded the Victoria Cross. __ He left Sydney in Decenfber, 1815, with reinforcements and prior to enlisting he -was a law stndent at the University. Il« has been wounded twice. The official statement of the manner in whieh he won the Victoria Cross is as follows:^ When commanding an att4«king platoon, he observed, on amtfgitig from a wood, 80 or 100 German?, with several machine-guns, holding up the advance of the troops on his right. Ho had only six men, but Lieut. Lips* comb, with 4 men -joined him, and he decided to attack the enemy flank and rear. The two officers Aild ten men charged with the bayonet, Lieutenant Storkey in the le»d and expelled the enemy. They killed or wounded thirty, and. captured tlireo officers and 60 men and the machine* gun s|, Lieutenant Storkey's courage and promptness and the skilful attack removed a dangerous obstacle to th» advance, and were a great inspiration to the remainder of the party. This gallant Napier soldier, who has been twioe wounded, was one of the famous Australian sth Brigade (Gen- | oral Holmes' old command) of which it i has been Said most of the hard fighting came its way, and he has the right to wear more than one of the marks of honor of the wounded. He was wounded seriously about two years ago. Immediately on recovering he returned to the lines of the Fighting Fifth and ill that company did work which caused •him to be specially mentioned in despatches, He was camp officer with the 19th Battalion and was With the command of Colonel W. K. S. McKen2te lot some time. Lieutenant Storkey was born in Napier 26 years ago, and was educated at the Napier Main School. He was dux of the Boys' High School in 1910. About six years ago he went to Australia, where he was employed as a clerk in the University while studying for the laW. His parents, Mr and Mrs J. S. Storkey, reside in Napier.