World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2426 LOUDON, 10 Light Horse
Photograph of 2426 trooper Robert James Loudon, DCM from Broomehill, 16th Reinforcements, enlisted 9 March 1916, returned 20 July 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
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'During the attack south of Duma, on the 1st October, 1918, some five machine guns suddently opened fire from about 100 yards distant. The horse of the O.C. Brigade Scouts was shot and fell on him, and at once the enemy rushed from all sides to attack him. Private Loudon galloped in and dispersed the enemy with his revolver. He kept the enemy at bay with his rifle, and caught the officer's horse and took it over to where he lay.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 42
Date: 20 May 1920
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 - W45651 JONES SL (0.03km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, MILROY, 10 Light Horse (0.03km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2839 STANFORD-BLUNTISH, 10 Light Horse (0.04km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2193 GEE, 10 Light Horse (0.04km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF94881 STANLEY (nee DUNSTAN) (0.05km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, O'HALLORAN, 10 Light Horse (0.07km away)
- PHOTOGRAPH (DIGITAL): 'ORCHARD AT ROSEVALE BROOME HILL', FROM MINNA LIPFERT ALBUM (0.1km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, RICHARDSON, 10 Light Horse (0.5km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 726 GREEN, 10 Light Horse (0.89km away)
- Katanning Flour Mill (18.75km away)
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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