both positions, killing seven members of their crews. For his actions, Starcevich was awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation for the award was published in the London Gazette on 6 November 1945, reading: Starcevich was presented with the ribbon of the Victoria Cross by Brigadier Victor Windeyer, during a unit parade at Papar in North Borneo on 12 November 1945. He was presented with the actual medal at Government House, Perth on 27 May 1947 by Sir James Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of Western Australia. Starcevich held the rank of private throughout his military service and was discharged on 12 February 1946, as part of the prolonged demobilisation process that followed the end of hostilities. He reportedly wanted to re-enlist in the Australian Army during the Korean War, but his wife talked him out of it. Post-war life Starcevich spent the first four years after the war as a motor vehicle sales representative in Perth. He married Kathleen Betty Warr ( Hardy), at the Perth registry office on 19 December 1947. The couple had three children but divorced in 1969. From 1951, Tom and Joe Starcevich obtained and jointly worked a soldier settlement wheat and sheep farm at Carnamah. In 1981, Tom Starcevich moved back to Grass Patch, where he had bought a small farm. He died at Esperance, Western Australia, on 17 November 1989, aged 71. Memorials The track in Borneo on which Starcevich's celebrated action occurred was later renamed Victoria Cross Road. He is also commemorated by Starcevich Monument. Starcevich's VC is on display at the Army Museum of Western Australia, in Fremantle, Western Australia. A bronze statue of Starcevich was unveiled at Grass Patch in 1995. The Leslie Starcevich Ward at the former Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood is named in his honour. References External links "The Mallee’s First VC" peoplesvoice.gov.au (2001) Starcevich Memorial Stone, Beaufort, Sabah 1918 births 1989 deaths Military personnel from Western Australia Australian Army soldiers Australian World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross People from Grass Patch, Western Australia Australian people of Croatian descent Australian people of English descent Australian farmers Australian Army personnel of World War II