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World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 119 LANCET, 10 Light Horse

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Subcollections

10 Australian Light Horse - Troopers 1914-1920

Overview

Photograph of Lieutenant N S Lancet, MC from Perth

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 arriving in Fremantle on 4 August 1919 on board Oxfordshire.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-55-874

Inscriptions and markings

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and inititaive near Sebonquiaux on 10th November, 1918. Sent forward in charge of three patrols to gain information and hold [the] crossing over the Annelle River, he was held up by machine gun fire, but realizing the importance of gaining the crossing for the infantry, he managed, by great courage and fine leadership, to out-manoeuvre the enemy and compel them to retire east of the river.He then made a personal reconnaissance of the crossing although he was exposed to machine gun fire and snipers. His subsequent report proved of the utmost value to the infantry.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 30
Date: 25 March 1920

Links to additional resources

Service Summary

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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