WA Born VC Winners
Series
No. 6 in the
series of 9 caches plus a Bonus Box -
K&C 039.
Collect all the clues
from each of the 9 caches to gain the CO's for the Bonus
Box.
The clues are located on the
back of the log books, and are in the format of A = * B = *
etc...
There are prizes for the 1st few cachers who complete the
series. Please only take one prize. Inside the Bonus Box is 1
certificate for an event coin, gift vouchers, an "Australia
Remembers 1945 - 1995" coin/penny(donated by AmstradKid) and other
goodies.
Private Percival Eric
Gratwick VC
DOB: 19
October 1902
Place Of
Birth: Katanning, WA
Percy Gratwick was a 38-year-old former
gold prospector from Western Australia. In an attack at Miteiriya
Ridge, 25–26 October 1942, Gratwick’s company suffered
heavy casualties and was held up by intense enemy fire. The
platoon lost its commander, its sergeant, and most of the men.
Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Gratwick launched a
single-handed attack with grenades, rifle, and bayonet on the
German posts. He finally fell to a burst of machine-gun fire. His
lone efforts had a big impact, inspiring all those around him and
enabling the company to advance.
The Victoria
Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for
acts of bravery in wartime. It was instituted in 1856 by Queen
Victoria and made retrospective to 1854 to cover the period of the
Crimean War. It is possible for any serving member of the armed
forces to obtain this award. The Victoria Cross is designed in the
form of the Maltese Cross: in the centre of the medal is a lion
guardant standing upon the Royal Crown. The words "For valour" are
inscribed below. The Victoria Cross is suspended from a crimson
ribbon. On the reverse of the cross the date of the act of bravery
is inscribed, along with the name, rank, and unit of the
recipient
Aknowledgments: Australian War
Memorial