World War 1, South-West Asia, Turkey, Gallipoli, 392 DICKERSON, 10 Light Horse, 1915
Image of 392 Trooper James Dickerson from Gingin, died at sea, 30 August 1915 from wounds received at Hill 60.
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.
James Dickerson was born in Gingin, Western Australia, in 1883. A horse breaker and labourer, James joined the AIF in October 1914, describing his complexion as "dark" on his enlistment papers. James's horsemanship skills enabled him to join Western Australia's 10th Light Horse Regiment, a unit which was destined to distinguish itself at Gallipoli.
In the lead-up to the Gallipoli campaign, the Australians were encamped in Egypt. James's record shows that his training did not run as smoothly as he may have hoped. In early April 1915 he was arrested and charged with assault and drunkenness, an offence for which he served 28 days detention. A few days after his release, James joined his unit as they embarked for Gallipoli, arriving in early May. There the 10th Light Horse suffered terrible casualties in the disastrous charge against Turkish defences at the Nek. Trooper Dickerson survived, but a few weeks later his unit was involved in the assault on Hill 60 and he received serious shell wounds to the buttock and leg. He was removed to the hospital ship Devanha, where he died the following day, on 30 August 1915. Trooper James Dickerson was buried at sea.
Trooper James Dickerson is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial on the Gallipoli peninsula and on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.
Details
Details
This photograph is part of the extensive Phil Sullivan 10th Light Horse Collection donated to the Army Museum in November 2023.
The service of 13 Diggers, now identified as Aboriginal, original ANZACs, who served with the Australian Imperial Force in Gallipoli are commemorated by name in dioramas in the World war 1 Gallery at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia.
Open in Google Maps
Nearest geotagged records:
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 156 HACKETT, 1764 WILLCOCK, 307 MASON, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 390 DALLING, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 613 DACK, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 226 SCOTT, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 480 SPENCER, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 535 McLEAN, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 125 McRAE, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 451 McWHIRTER, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 635 RUSK, 10 Light Horse, 1st Reinforcements, enlisted 10 December 1914 (0km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 949 GUTHRIE, 10 Light Horse (0km away)
View all geotagged records »
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Other items from Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 394 DUVAL, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 395 DONOVAN, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 399 FIELDS, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 400 FINLAY, 10 Light Horse
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 396 FACEY, 10 Light Horse
- ANZAC House Colored Glass Windows
- Poster - Australian Infantry 1915 Web Equipment
- Poster - Australian Army Uniform and Badges 1915
- Poster - Australian Kit and Necessaries 1915
- Poster - Australian Imperial Force Hold All and Contents 1915
- Puggaree
- Medal - Distinguished Service Cross (Australia)