Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 639 THORNETT, 10 Light Horse

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Subcollections

10 Australian Light Horse - Troopers 1914-1920

Overview

Photograph of 639 Trooper John James Thornett, 1st Reinforcements, enlisted 10 December 1914, killed in action Hill 60, 29 August 1915

Historical information

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

Registration number

cwa-org-32-55-065

Inscriptions and markings

The fighting for Hill 60 (a low rise in the foothills on the north-western end of ANZAC) together with supporting offensive against the W Hills represented the last major Allied offensive operation on the Peninsula. Conceived as an attempt to consolidate the narrow strip of foreshore connecting British forces at Suvla and established positions at ANZAC. The first unsuccessful attempt to seize Hill 60 on 21 August was hastily planned and poorly arranged; a further attack on 27 August was the prelude for 3 days of intense fighting during which objectives were taken, lost and retaken. British, New Zealand and Australian units (18th Battalion, 9th and 10th Light Horse and composite group from Monash's 4th Brigade) failed to secure the crest, and the costly attacks were called off on 29 August as a tenuous junction had been attained with the Suvla forces.

Contextual Information

This photograph is part of the extensive Phil Sullivan 10th Light Horse Collection donated to the Army Museum in November 2023.

Geotag

40.230280062452, 26.287924154905

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Links to additional resources

10 Light Horse Memorial Kings Park

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia