Hugo Throssell
| Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell | |
|---|---|
Hugo Throssell VC c.1918
|
|
| Born |
26 October 1884 Northam, Western Australia |
| Died | 19 November 1933 (aged 49) Greenmount, Western Australia |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Imperial Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars |
First World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
| Spouse(s) | Katharine Susannah Prichard (m. 1919; d. 1933) |
| Relations | Ric Throssell (son) |
First World War
Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell, VC (26 October 1884 – 19 November 1933) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Hugo Throssell was born in Northam, Western Australia on 26 October 1884, the son of former Premier of Western Australia, George Throssell. He was educated at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide from January 1896 to December 1902, where, nicknamed "Jimmy", he was a noted athlete, captain of three intercollegiate sports teams. On the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, he joined the Australian Imperial Force and was allotted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment. His brother, Frank Erick Cottrell Throssell, known as Ric, also served in the war and died near Gaza. Hugo Throssell's son Ric Throssell was named after him.
As a second lieutenant Hugo Throssell fought at Gallipoli, where he had landed on 4 August. He saw action in the desperate Battle of the Nek. According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography:
This experience increased his eagerness to prove himself in battle. He wanted to avenge the 10th L.H.R. which, like so many of the Anzac troops, was battle-worn, sick and depleted. His chance came later that month at Hill 60 during a postponed attempt by British and Anzac troops to widen the strip of foreshore between the two bridgeheads at Anzac and Suvla by capturing the hills near Anafarta. Hill 60, a low knoll, lay about half a mile (0.8 km) from the beach. Hampered by confusion and lack of communication between the various flanks, the battle had been raging for a week with heavy losses.
...
Wikipedia