Lawrence Dominic McCarthy Australian soldier Date of Birth: 21.01.1892 Country: Australia

1. Childhood and Military Enrollment
2. Gallipoli and Subsequent Promotions
3. Croix de Guerre and the Victoria Cross
4. Post-War Life and Legacy

Childhood and Military Enrollment

Lawrence McCarthy, an Australian soldier awarded the Victoria Cross, was born in York, Western Australia. Orphaned at a young age, he listed no relatives on his military enlistment form. McCarthy was raised in a Perth orphanage and attended Catholic schools. Enlisted as a private in the 16th Battalion, he earned the nickname "Fats" due to his large frame.

Gallipoli and Subsequent Promotions

In April 1915, the battalion landed at Gallipoli, where McCarthy served until September when he was evacuated due to health issues. He returned to duty in November and left Gallipoli with one of the last groups of his battalion on December 20. McCarthy's battalion fought in France from June 1916. By March 1917, he had become a company sergeant-major and was commissioned as an officer the following month. A day after his promotion, McCarthy was wounded and spent three months in English hospitals.

Croix de Guerre and the Victoria Cross

Promoted again in November, McCarthy was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. After training soldiers in England for several months, he rejoined his battalion in preparation for the final offensive. On August 23, 1918, McCarthy performed a remarkable feat near Vermandovillers, France. His battalion was pinned down by enemy machine guns, and McCarthy, realizing the tactical advantage, rushed a nearby position with two comrades. Leading the charge, he neutralized the enemy and continued clearing the trench. Joined by one of his comrades, he fought his way through enemy soldiers and linked up with a battalion on his flank. McCarthy killed 22 enemy soldiers, captured 50 prisoners, and seized 5 machine guns, earning him the Victoria Cross.

Post-War Life and Legacy

On November 11, 1918, ten days after the war ended, McCarthy was evacuated to England with influenza. He returned to Australia in December 1919 with his wife, Florence Norville, whom he had married in January. McCarthy was officially discharged in August 1920 and lived initially in Western Australia before moving to Victoria. He worked at the Sunshine Harvester Works until the Great Depression and later for Trustees, Executors & Agency Co. until his retirement.

In 1945, McCarthy's only son, Lawrence, was killed on Bougainville. Lawrence McCarthy died in 1975 at a Melbourne hospital and was cremated with full military honors. A hospital ward was named in his memory. McCarthy's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.