Percy Black
Percy Black served with the A.I.F. during World War One.
History
Percy Black was born at Bacchus Marsh. He enlisted during World War One and served at Gallipoli with the 16th Battalion. Second Leiutenant (170) Black trained as a carpenter before moving to Western Australia as a prospector in the Western Australian gold rush, enlisting at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia.
Black enlisted as a private in the First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) in 1914. Black became one of the most decorated Australian soldier during World War One. He was killed at the First Battle of Bullecourt on 11 April 1917 while commanding the right flank of his battalion. Born at Beremboke, near Ballan, on 12 December 1877, Percy Charles Herbert Black was the youngest son of William John Black and Ann Longmore. His parents emigrated from County Antrim, in Northern Ireland and had 14 children
Percy Black was part of the Gallipoli landing on 25 April 1915. On 05 June he was awarded the Distinguised Bravery Medal. He was prpmpted to Captain on 20 January 1916, and promoted to Major on 27 April 1916. He was killed in action at Bullecourt on 16 April 1917 at France.[1]
- Corporal Percy Black was recently awarded a distinguished conduct medal for rescuing a maxim gun. the crew of which had been shot, from the enemy's hands. He ran out to the front, lifted the machine, and carried it on his back to a place of safety, thus risking his life. Corporal Black was born at Ballan (Vic.) and enlisted from West. Australia. He is an uncle of Mrs Hudson, wife of Sergeant Major Hudson of Shepparton.[2]
Legacy
Black is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. He received the Croix de Guerre on 16 December 1916, and the Distinguised Sevice Order on 14 November 1916.[3]
Obituary
- Death of Colonel Percy Black
- On Thursday word came through that Colonel Percy Black, D.C.M., D.S.O . etc., was killed in France on April 11t. The deepest sympathy was felt and expressed for the deceased and his friends by all who heard the sad news, for Percy has the proud record of having won more distinctions and promo-tions than any person who has left Australia's shores to fight for freedom. He was promoted from the rank of private to that of Colonel by rapid stages on the field of action ; decorated with the D.C,M., the D.S.O., and the Military Medal of France ; fought from the beginning of the war, and is reputed to have accounted for not less than 500 Turks on Gallipoli. The flags of Bullfinch and Southern Cross were ail flown at half~mast on Thursday to show the last tribute of respect to our Yilgarn hero. God rest his soul and comfort the girl whom he was to have wed![4]
See also
Notes
References
Further Reading
External links
https://www.facebook.com/GreatWarBallarat/posts/3203086509737602?__tn__=K-R