World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 790 CUMMINGS, 10 Light Horse

Overview

Photograph of 790 Trooper Allan Cummings from Katanning, killed in action at Quinn's Post, 15 June 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

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-32-55-105
Inscriptions and markings

Quinn's Post was first formed in the days following the 25 April landing by small parties of several Australian and New Zealand units, and later British Royal Marines. It was named after Major Hugh Quinn of the 15th Battalion, who was killed leading a charge against Turks who had gained a foothold in the Post on 29 May. For the campaign's first two months Quinn's was mainly garrisoned by the 13th, 15th and 16th Battalions and then the 1st Light Horse Brigade.

Contextual Information

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

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
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Cummings crop
790 CUMMINGS

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