Private Thomas Leslie Starcevich enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in April 1941. In December 1941 he joined the 2/43rd Battalion, 24th Brigade, 9th Division in Palestine.
In April 1945, the 9th Division left for Borneo in the closing months of World War 11. There in Beaufort town and with his unit under fire from the enemy, Starcevich displayed tremendous bravery when he twice approached enemy fire, rushing forward and firing from his Bren gun. With the enemy machine-gun posts knocked out, his ‘B' Company was able to continue their assault.
In April 1945, the 9th Division left for Borneo in the closing months of World War 11. There in Beaufort town and with his unit under fire from the enemy, Starcevich displayed tremendous bravery when he twice approached enemy fire, rushing forward and firing from his Bren gun. With the enemy machine-gun posts knocked out, his ‘B' Company was able to continue their assault.
Thomas L. Starcevich was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and on 28th August 1947, he received his Victoria Cross medal at Western Australia where he eventually returned to farming. He is buried in the Esperance Public Lawn Cemetery, Western Australia.
After the War, the road where the action took place was named Victoria Cross Road by the local townsfolk and a Memorial Stone was erected along it. It is located just near the present-day Beaufort Police station. The inscription on it reads ‘In June 1945, on this hill, by his valour and disregard of danger, Private L.T Starcevich of 2/43rd Battalion A.I.F (Australian Imperial Forces), routed the Japanese defenders.'
Getting there
Beaufort town is an hour and a half away from Kota Kinabalu City and you can take a bus, self-drive or take a leisurely two hour diesel train ride. You can also contact a local tour operator. Please check under the Directory section.
By train, board from the Tanjung Aru Train Station. Fares are RM4.80 one way.
Schedule Departure : Mon - Sun 7.45am , Sun 1.35pm.
Return from Beaufort : Mon - Sun 9.55am , Sun 10am
Beaufort town is an hour and a half away from Kota Kinabalu City and you can take a bus, self-drive or take a leisurely two hour diesel train ride. You can also contact a local tour operator. Please check under the Directory section.
By train, board from the Tanjung Aru Train Station. Fares are RM4.80 one way.
Schedule Departure : Mon - Sun 7.45am , Sun 1.35pm.
Return from Beaufort : Mon - Sun 9.55am , Sun 10am
You can take a Mini Bus from the Bus Station in front of Wawasan Plaza in KK City with departures throughout the day, starting from early morning. A one-way fare is RM5.00.
Taxis leave from the station at Padang Merdeka in KK.
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