World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 1268 POUNTNEY, 10 Light Horse
Photograph of 1268 Trooper Benjamin Pountney from West Guildford (Bassendean), 9th Reinforcements, enlisted 16 June 1915, killed in action 23 December 1916 at Magdahba
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
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 - WF95137 TAYLOR (0.01km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF2908 BATTEN (married AUBREY) (0.02km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF90136 NOACK (married NEWMAN) (0.64km away)
- World War 1, Australia Western Australia, 1998 BARRY, 10 Australian Light Horse, 1916 (0.71km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2807 KENWORTHY, 10 Light Horse (0.8km away)
- Steam locomotive Katie (1.22km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF90198 SHERWOOD (married STAGGARD) (1.6km away)
- Passenger Train, Guildford Station (1.62km away)
- Guildford station with suburban carriages (1.62km away)
- Guildford station (1.62km away)
View all geotagged records...
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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