World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 176 FERRIER, 10 Light Horse

Photograph of 176 Corporal Sutton Henry Ferrier, A Squadron, enlisted 9 December 1914, died of wounds received at Hill 60 attack, 9 September 1915.

On St Barbara’s Day 2020, (4 December for non-Gunners) the Governor General announced the award of the Medal for Gallantry to Corporal Sutton Henry Ferrier , 10 Light Horse The Citation reads:
For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances during an assault by 10th Light Horse Regiment on Hill 60 at Gallipoli, Turkey, on 29 August 1915.
For many, this award completes the honours due from the successful capture and defence of a trench on Hill 60 over 105 years earlier in August 1915. In the immediate aftermath of the action, 2nd Lieutenant Hugo Throssell was awarded the Victoria Cross, four men were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and eight others received a Mention in Despatches for their gallantry and devotion to duty. Corporal Ferrier was not among this group of awards.
Throssell's troop of 24 men had to consolidate the northern-most section of the trench, which involved erecting sandbag barricades to prevent the Turks bombing their way to recapture the trench. The Light Horsemen also had to repel counter-attacks over the open ground on their left and right flanks. The key personnel were the bomb throwers.
After several hours of heavy fighting, Throssell's party was reduced to himself and five men - Sgt William Henderson, Cpl Sutton "Syd" Ferrier and Troopers Hobart Douglas Firns, Francis McMahon and Tom Stanley. Just before dawn, McMahon was shot through the head. Ferrier then got a bullet and fell, and a short time later Firns was killed. Throssell and Ferrier were wounded. Despite being wounded, 35-year-old Ferrier continued to throw bombs. It was reported that Ferrier threw 500 bombs that night and was trying to throw back a Turkish bomb when it exploded in his hand. The trench was held and Throssell, Ferrier and the other wounded evacuated to a hospital ship where doctors amputated what remained of Ferrier's arm.
The 10 Light Horse Regimental Chaplain, Chaplain Bond wrote a letter to Ferrier's father on September 9, informing him: "He did splendidly and was always bright and cheerful - until a few days ago - and then tetanus set in and he died yesterday evening." Bond went on: "His officer (Throssell) tells me he did splendidly the night he was wounded. He and two others held a trench against a whole horde of Turks - who were bombing them - they held it till long after the rest were wounded or killed, and he went on throwing bombs back, long after he was wounded, and until reinforcements came up. I believe he has been mentioned for conspicuous bravery; I only wish he could have been spared to receive his reward."