World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 272 FERGUSON, 10 Light Horse
Photograph of 272 Sergeant James Maxwell Ferguson from Midland, died of wounds received at Zag-a-Zig, 20 March 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.
Details
Details
In early March 1919, demonstrations in Cairo, mainly by students, initiated an outburst of anti-British rioting, which within a few days spread through all the lower provinces and extended to upper Egypt. The situation was exacerbated by the local civil service's declaration of a general strike and the rapid suspension of railway and telegraph services. In the absence of a large British force in Egypt, elements of the Australian and ANZAC Mounted Divisions including 10 Light Horse Regiment, then awaiting embarkation to Australia, were instructed to restore order. Within a month of the uprising order had been restored and principal political agitators imprisoned. The flexibility and mobility of the ANZAC forces involved were principal factors in the suppression of the rioting.
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:
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 443 MATHIESON, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Middle East, BAKER, 3 Australian General Hospital, 1916 (7.37km away)
- World War 1, Middle East, Egypt, WILSON, 3 Australian General Hospital, 1916 (7.85km away)
- World War 1, Middle East, 3 Australian General Hospital, 1916 (7.85km away)
- World War 1, Middle East, Egypt, Hehia, 10 Australian Light Horse, 1918 (22.43km away)
- World War 1, Middle East Egypt Ismailia, MUNN, Australian Flying Corps, 1917 (45.09km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, HAMLIN, 10 Light Horse (45.72km away)
- World War 1, Middle East Matarieh, 1915 (45.75km away)
- World War 1, Middle East Matarieh, 1915 (45.75km away)
- World War 1, Middle East Matarieh, 1915 (45.75km away)
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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