Percy Herbert Cherry was born to John Gawley and Elizabeth Cherry in Drysdale Victoria on 4 June 1895. 

He was raised in Cradoc, Tasmania, attending school until he was 13, after which Percy was privately tutored.

Percy joined the Cadets at this point, eventually becoming a Second Lieutenant, winning a gold medal for shooting aged 16. He later served in the 93rd Infantry Militia while working on his parent’s apple orchard. 

Cherry enlisted on 5 March 1915 and was posted to D Company, 26th Battalion as Quartermaster-Sergeant. He may have expected a commission, after having served as a Lieutenant in the militia, but he was deemed too young to hold a commissioned rank in the Australian Imperial Force. 

Percy travelled with his unit to Gallipoli, arriving in September 1915. He was quickly appointed D Company Sergeant-Major of D Company.
 
On December 1, a bomb blast wounded Percy’s head and face, so he was evacuated to Egypt. While convalescing there, Percy was promoted to Second-Lieutenant. He also undertook machine-gun training and subsequently joined the 7th Machine-gun Company (7MGC).

He arrived in France in March 1917 and took part in a failed assault on Pozieres in late July. A week later, Percy’s unit attacked Pozieres again and Percy was severely injured. He was sent back to London to recuperate.

According to historian Lionel Wigmore, Cherry traded fire with a German officer, mortally wounding his opponent. The officer is said to have given Percy a package of medals and effects, requesting Percy send them to his family in Germany. The officer then spoke his last words, “so it ends,” and passed away.
It is unknown whether Percy had the opportunity to return the pack to Germany.

Percy returned to France in early 1917 where he was promoted to Lieutenant and soon Captain.

On 26 March, Cherry and the 7th Brigade were engaged in fighting to capture the village of Lagnicourt.

Lagnicourt had been successfully encircled by the Australian troops so Cherry’s company was ordered to move in and clear the village proper.

While resistance was stiff, Cherry managed to push through to the centre of village where he found a heavily defended crater. Rather than wait for reinforcements, Cherry charged the position while his men proved machine-gun and grenade cover.

Cherry crossed Lagnicourt, digging in with his men, anticipating a German counter-attack. Around a hundred men formed the village defence, facing off against a battalion-sized force. 

The German attack went on for most of the day. Sadly, Captain Cherry was killed be a German shell in the afternoon of the 26 March.

For his gallantry during this action, Percy was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His medal citation reads:

“During the attack on LAGNICOURT on the morning of 26th March 1917, this Officer was in Command of "C" Coy. who stormed and cleared the village. 

"His gallantry and bravery are beyond description. After all the Officers of his Company were casualties, he carried on in the face of fierce opposition, and mopped up the town in a most careful and determined manner.
 
"He continuously sent reports of the progress being made, and when held up for some time by an enemy strong point, immediately organised Lewis gunners, bombers and rifle bombers, and led the rush which captured this position.
 
"His leadership, coolness, and bravery set a wonderful example to his men. On clearing the village he took charge of the situation, and with about 100 men, and with the assistance of Lieut. STAPLETON, was mainly instrumental in beating off a most determined counter-attack made by the enemy with about 1000 men. 

"He was wounded in the leg at about 6.30 a.m. but would not leave his post, encouraging all around him to hold out in the face of fierce opposition. He was unfortunately killed by an enemy shell at about 4.30 p.m. During the day he personally killed 9 Germans. 

He had previous to this attack been wounded on three occasions and was recommended for a D.S.O. when the Battalion attacked the MALT TRENCH north of WARLENCOURT on March 1st 1917.”

Captain Percy Cherry was originally buried near where he was killed in Lagnicourt but was later reburied in Qeant Road Cemetery, Buissy.