Percy Statton

Percy Clyde Statton
Sergeant Percy Statton c. 1919
Born	(1890-10-21)21 October 1890 Beaconsfield, Tasmania
Died	5 December 1959(1959-12-05) (aged 69) Hobart, Tasmania
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Imperial Force Volunteer Defence Corps
Years of service	1916–1920 1942–1946
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles/wars	First World War Western Front Battle of Messines Battle of Passchendaele German spring offensive Battle of Mont St. Quentin Second World War
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Medal

Percy Clyde Statton, VC, MM (21 October 1890 – 5 December 1959) was an Australian farmer, soldier, and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Serving as a sergeant during the First World War, Statton was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918 following his assault on four German machine guns. With three men, Statton rushed the posts armed with only a revolver and succeeded in capturing the first gun. Moving to the second, he killed the crew of five himself before the two remaining gun crews were forced to retreat.

Born in Tasmania, Statton was married and working as a farmer when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916. Posted to the 40th Battalion, he was shipped to England, where he spent three months training. Arriving on the Western Front in 1917, Statton was awarded the Military Medal during the Battle of Messines for leading carrying parties to the front line under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Wounded twice during the war, Statton returned to Australia in 1919 and was discharged the following year. In 1934, he took part in rescue work aiding families isolated by severe bushfires in the Derwent Valley. Following a period of service during the Second World War, Statton died of stomach cancer in 1959.