World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, CRAIG, 10 Light Horse
Photographs of Lieutenant Leslie Craig from Balingup. Wounded in left foot at The Nek with leg subsequently amputated. Released in rank of Captain with 3/4 disability pension. Uniform and medals held at Hale School.
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Details
The Nek attack on August 7th at 4:30 am during the Gallipoli Campaign was a tragic military endeavor. The assault began with the 8th Light Horse Regiment forming the first line. However, a misjudgment in the artillery fire cessation, stopping seven minutes early, alerted the well-prepared Turkish forces. Despite a seemingly substantial bombardment, it had minimal impact on the Turkish trenches. When the first line attacked, the Turks were ready and swiftly eliminated them within 30 seconds, leaving only three men from the right of the line reaching the Turkish parapet.
The second line, comprised of the 8th Light Horse Regiment as well, faced a similar fate, being mowed down by Turkish gunfire. The third line, consisting of Western Australians from the 10th Light Horse Regiment, persisted despite attempts by Lieutenant Commander Noel Brazier to cancel the attack. At 4:45 am, the third line went over and faced the same devastating outcome.
Amidst confusion and noise, the fourth line, positioned in the firing trench, received a premature signal to advance, resulting in troops to the right initiating the attack. Major J.B. Scott intervened to stop the rest of the fourth line from charging. The toll was severe, with the 3rd Light Horse Brigade suffering significant losses – 151 men from the 8th Light Horse Regiment and 78 from the 10th Light Horse Regiment were killed at the Nek. An additional 11 and five died within days from their wounds, respectively, and the 9th Light Horse lost four men. In total, of the 600 men across the four lines, 249 perished, and over 100 were wounded, marking a tragic episode in the Gallipoli Campaign.
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Nearest geotagged records:
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 64916 BUNT, 10 Light Horse (0.1km away)
- World War 1, 39 LUKIS, 10 Light Horse (0.1km away)
- World War 2, Australia Western Australia Balingup, 2008 (0.26km away)
- World War 1, Australia Western Australia Balingup, 2008 (0.26km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 1877 HOLBROOK, 10 Light Horse (0.26km away)
- World War 2, Australia Western Australia Mullalyup, 2008 (5.66km away)
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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