 lawrence dominic mccarthy vc (21 january 1892&nbsp;â 25 may 1975) was an australian recipient of the victoria cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to british and commonwealth forces. ==early life== lawrence dominic mccarthy was born in york, western australia, on 21 january 1892. the son of florence mccarthy of cork, ireland, and his wife anne, nÃ©e sherry, he was orphaned at a young age and was brought up in clontarf orphanage in perth and educated in catholic schools. after completing his schooling, from the age of 13 he worked on a farm as an apprentice at jennacubbine, near northam. later, he served with the 18th light horse, a militia unit, for two and a half years before moving to lion mill, perth. he subsequently worked as a contractor sawmiller, subsequently losing three fingers on his left hand in an accident. ==world war i== ===gallipoli and the western front=== mccarthy was initially rejected due to his injuries when he attempted to join the australian imperial force; however, he was later accepted after proving he had won a number of shooting competitions. enlisted on 16 october 1914 as a private, he was subsequently posted to the 16th battalion, joining the newly formed unit at blackboy hill camp his large build later earned him the nickname "fats". sailing for egypt in december, the battalion subsequently landed at [[g
1892_births 1975_deaths Australian_Army_officers Australian_World_War_I_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross People_from_York,_Western_Australia