Today, we share the story of Private Leslie Thomas 'Tom' Starcevich (Starcey), recipient of a Victoria Cross for his 'most conspicuous gallantry and extreme devotion to duty at Beaufort, North Borneo, 28th June, 1945' During the campaign to liberate North Borneo in the final months of WWII, Private Starcevich of the 2/43rd Infantry Battalion performed an extraordinary act of bravery near the town of Beaufort. Under heavy enemy fire, Starcevich single-handedly attacked and silenced multiple Japanese machine-gun posts with his Bren gun. His fearless actions cleared the way for the Company to increase the momentum of its attack and so relieve pressure on another Company, which was attacking from another direction. His actions were crucial to the success of the mission. Tom returned home after the war, to the great excitement of the citizens of Grass Patch in Western Australia. His bravery is remembered with memorials in Grass Patch, Memorial Park Campbell ACT, and a memorial plaque in Beaufort, Sabah — the only monument in Malaysia dedicated to an individual Australian soldier. His portrait and Victoria Cross and service medals are on display at the Australian War Memorial Lest we forget. (fb)

RSL Australia congratulates the newly elected RSL South Australia President and Board Members. (fb)