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school. In 1031 hr Private L. T. Starcevich, who was tending a Catholicin the Religious Holi awarded the Victoria Cross for an at - spent two weeks School at Esperance and received tick against the Japanese in which day the preparation for his first Confession he put out of action four machine-gun Communion from the Cool posts in succession in an "uncanny and Holy When the of Mercy. manner." received the miniature cross gardie Sisters presented with corn children were and maroon ribbon from Brigadier W. happy these of medals memoration J. V. Windemeyer, Acting Commander events, the Sister in charge said: "Re of the Ninth Division H.Q. at Labuan !inic The ceremony took place member this, boys, that great on Monday. hoes turn out to be great men," It in the jungle, only 70 miles from the in answered who Starcevich was Tom scene of the V.C.'s heroism. his quiet, droll manner, "Too right. arwho mother, Private Starcevichs Sister!" rived in Perth last week, and a Sister Ten years later, when Private Star. of Mercy wilo taught the VC., were cevich was passing through Kalgoor of by a representative - interviewed lie, he found time to look up the good "The Record." nun who had taught him the facts of Starce J. the Faith. At he left, she presented The V.C.'s mother, Mrs. sister-in-law's her at him with a pair of Rosary beads and vich, interviewed the advice which has since turned out home at East Fremantle, was a justly to proud woman, though plainly bewilder- so prophetically: "Tom, stick her which these like you stick to your gun." And ed by the blaze of publicity enthe on Torn undemonstrative brought again the once son's exploits have gave his promise: "Too right. Sister!" tire family. She is an Englishwoman Coming to Australia in It was, therefore, immensely approprifrom Kent. enate that when his former teacher heard .1912, she was married at Laverton, tering the Church at the same time. Grass at Mrs. Starcevich said that Patch ,which is 50 miles north of Esperancel they were able to hear Mass very seldom, and hence the Religious Holiday Schools at Esperance and Two letters of interest recently reCoolgardie had been a great assist- ceived have been sent from Mr, Dyson, al had Tom children. the to ance of Nedlands, and Flight-Sergeant Jones, ways been a very quiet lad. He neither stationed on the Labuan Island, Bordrank nor smoked, but was partial to neo. In Mr. Dyson's letter was entwo-up. of the national sport closed an account written by his son of From early boyhood Tom displayed an impressive thanksgiving ceremony On one oc- held on the island. Coincidentally qualities of fearlessness. Flight -Sergeant Jones' letter was also casion he was accidentally shot through the nose by one of' his brothers an account of this impressive service, Although suffering and as both letters were of great interwith a .22 rifle. est they have been compounded topain, he refused an anaesthetic for the and endured the gether. bullet the of removal Getting prepared for Mass was a very operation with great fortitude. At another time he fell from a hay particular occasion, because it meant kneehis injured washing clothes 'with meticulous care, waggon and severely Tom considered it "cissy" to and ironing them by the simple expedi-a.p. cry in front of his brothers and sisters. ent of placing them tinder the bed, so that the weight of the occupant would A Sister of Mercy, now teaching in them. The next the suburbs, for many years supervised he sufficient to pressthe bath. Picking the Religious Correspondence courses important step was up a towel and soap the bather walked She has vivid in the Goldfields area. where he corn memories of the Starcevich children to the nearest swamp pletely lathers himself with soap. Takand recalled Tom's fidelity to his les ing out a tin full of water this is now He was baptised by Father 'one. a shower and -(now Chaplain) A. Langmead. and used in the capacity of had never had the opportunity of at- the bath is completp.
MERCERS AND
Private L. T. Starcevich, V.C. (rig ht) and his brother Joe (left), at a Bushies' School at Esperance.
her pupil's military distinction, she done, Tom, foi sticking to your gun." She attributes his preservation in his courageous exploits to the protection of Our Lady, Help of Christians, and to the Litt!, Flower, to both of whom Tom Starce vich had great devotion. of
wired him: "Well
After all this elaborate toilet the path was taken to the Church, and although Mass was not to be started before 7,30 p.m., crowds were already gathered hours before. The Mass was
to be held in the Franciscan Mission Church which, though terribly battered by the Japanese invasion, had been repaired by members of the Ninth Division some weeks earlier. The Mission on Labuan had been very successful, having already established a church and convent just outHowever, with side Victoria town. the Japanese landings in 1942, the missioners were forced to retire and in their place came death, through mur der and starvation. The happiest day for these people on this island was June 10, 1945, when the Ninth Division and units of the R.A.A.F 'aryled. and in a few days had 'freed them from the Japanese yoke, After the distribution of church pamphlets, Mass commenced. Rosary beads were taken from breast pockets and lips began to move
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The organ played "Hail Queen of fleaven,"and the hymn swelled out on the evening air. Surely Holy Mary, leaning out from Heaven, must have
gathered it to her heart. The Consecration bell rang and heads bent low. You could hear the draw ing-in of breaths, and then-silence, Mass in the moon<'eeli and moving. light on a tropical isle! I have never heard ,nor do I hope to hear again, so beautiful a Mass! My soul seemed to move within me. I heard very faintly the words of Consecration, then the Like a light hell, and it was over, wind the kneeling masses of men let near me was boy A breaths. their ut I looked round. Everywhere crying. strong battle-hardened men were quite Then I found unashamedly crying. that I was crying too, just silent unrealised tears. Before Mass there had been long queues for confession, and during Communion two Army Padres and two Air Force Chaplains were required to carry out this duty. Present at the Mass were nearly two thousand persons including nurses and other SerFrom all over the island vice girls. these Service personel had come in jeeps, trucks, and as a last resort, had hitch -hiked or walked. At the conclusion of Mass the Rosary was recited and Solemn Benediclon of the "lensed Sacrament was given. t
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