World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2652 SIMMONS, 10 Light Horse
Image of 2652 Trooper William Alexander Simmons from Bunbury, 18th Reinforcements, enlisted 29 February 1916, returned 4 August 1919.
10 Light Horse was raised as a squadron, then a regiment in October 1914.and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade in Egypt. The Regiment served dismounted in Gallipoli and fought at the charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915, and at Hill 60 on 29-30 August. The only Victoria Cross awarded to a Light Horseman recognised the valour of Lieutenant Hugo Throssell at Hill 60.
After Gallipoli the Regiment was bought up to strength to defended Egypt from the Ottoman Army advancing on the Suez Canal. Through 1916 they drove the Turks across the deserts of Sinai, participating in the battles of Romani and Magdhaba.
In 1917 as part of the Desert Column they advanced into Palestine and participated in the bloody battles to break the Gaza-Beersheba line and helped capture Jerusalem. They participated in the Es Salt Raid in May 1918. In August they were equipped with swords and retrained as cavalry. In this role they took part in the rout of the Ottoman army in the Jordan Valley, a campaign the light horse referred to as "The Great Ride". In September the 10th was the first formed regiment to enter Damascus.
Turkey surrendered on 30 October 1918. After the end of the war, the regiment saw action in putting down the Egyptian uprising of 1919. The Regiment was one of the few to return home as a formed unit.
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Details
This photograph is part of the extensive Phil Sullivan 10th Light Horse Collection donated to the Army Museum in November 2023.
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Nearest geotagged records:
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF95350 RECKNER (married DAY) (0.01km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF94984 BATTAMS (0.01km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF96591 BARRETT (0.01km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 1641 PAISLEY, 10 Light Horse (0.01km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 3069 ROSE, 10 Light Horse (0.01km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF93573 RUSHTON (0.01km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF94071 DODSON (0.16km away)
- Documentation relating to the AWAS service of WF96366 COLTON B (0.32km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 1678 TOMKINSON, 10 Light Horse (0.45km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2 ROSEVEAR, 10 Light Horse, 1914 (0.48km away)
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Other items from Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2654 TEMPLE, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2665 SMITH, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2728 SIMMONS, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2794 LOCKYER, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2797 ANDERSON, 10 Light Horse
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- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2808 LAWRENCE, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2809 BECKETT, 10 Light Horse