Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 1, South-West Asia, Turkey, Gallipoli, 392 DICKERSON, 10 Light Horse, 1915

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Subcollections

10 Australian Light Horse - Troopers 1914-1920

They Served With Honour - Indigenous Servicemen at Gallipoli

Overview

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.

Historical information

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

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-863

Contextual Information

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.

Geotag

40.230321017346, 26.287956341412

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Links to additional resources

Kings Park Honour Avenue

They Served with Honour

Army Museum Virtual Visit