Percy Charles Herbert Black, (12 December 1877 – 11 April 1917) was a decorated Australian soldier who served with the Australian Imperial Force in the First World War. Early life Black was born in Beremboke, near Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, the eleventh child of William and Anne (née Longmore), farmers originally from Antrim, Ireland. He trained as a carpenter before moving to Western Australia as a prospector in the Western Australian gold rush. First World War In Western Australia, Black, aged 36, enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) in 1914. His poor teeth saw him accepted "subject to extraction of stumps". He started his military career at Blackboy Hill Camp, near Perth, where he first met Harry Murray. Black and Murray, who would become the most decorated Australian soldier in the war, trained together on the Maxim Gun and became firm friends. Black's instructor at the camp claimed Black was the best gunner he had come across. Black was dispatched to Egypt with the 16th Battalion. Black saw action during the Gallipoli Campaign, taking part in the landing on 25 April 1915 (ANZAC Day). Black, with his good friend, Harry Murray, formed one of the 16th Battalion's two machine gun teams. In May he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and commissioned in the field as a second lieutenant. In August, before leaving Gallipoli, Black was Mentioned in Despatches (for actions prior to 20 May), and promoted to captain. Black was promoted to major in 1916, and was sent with his battalion to the Western Front. On 12 July he was again Mentioned in Despatches, for actions shortly before the withdrawal from Gallipoli. In France, Black fought at Pozières and Mouquet Farm. At Mouquet Farm, which the Germans had turned into a fortress, Black and the 16th Battalion battled through dugouts and cellars. The Australians were unable to hold the fortress, a determined counter-attack threw the Australians back to their start lines. Black was wounded—shot in the neck—and the severity of wound required specialist treatment in London. While in London, Black was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the French Croix de guerre for his actions at Pozières and Mouquet Farm. The citation for his DSO was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 14 November 1916 and read: On day-leave from hospital, Black went sightseeing around London with a friend. Dodging the