Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Trooper Hugh Glen, died in a Bendigo hospital on 22 May 1918. He was 32 years of age, was invalided back from the war during 1915, suffering from pneumonia and lung problems. At one time it seemed as if he had recuperated, but he gradually grew weaker and weaker. Trooper Glen was well known in Bendigo. He was prior to the war engaged with Jorgensen and Sons, contractors of Bendigo, and whilst performing a contract in Queensland for the firm he went to Queensland, and when the war broke out, he enlisted in that State in the 2nd Queensland Light Horse. After training he proceeded to Gallipoli, where he was wounded. On one occasion it was reported he was blown 30 feet into the air by the explosion of a shell.

Trooper Glen explained to a meeting, held to honour the returned soldiers that they had 100 men in his company when they landed, but 60 were killed or wounded by the second day in the trenches, and after that they gradually dwindled down. They were in Lone Pine when two of their three lines were wiped out, and then they went to Pope's Hill. They could not get food although there was plenty on the beach, but no one to bring it up to them. They sent one man down for water every 18 hours, while the others continued to hold the trenches. For a rest they had to do outpost duty or mining and sapping. He was there for three months and five men were the only reinforcements they received.

It was reported in the newspapers that there was scarcely a wider known athlete than Trooper Hugh Glen. In the football field, cricket field, and in fact any branch of sport, he excelled. The old Y.M.C.A. and the St. Andrew's cricket teams owed a great deal of their success in competition matches to his prowess. South Bendigo footballers and supporters on many occasions proclaimed him as one of their best all-round football players, whilst the baseball members of the Y.M.C.A. also recognised that it was greatly indebted to him for their victories on many occasions. As a member of the Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade, he participated in the championship reel race in the Bendigo and other demonstrations. He married just prior to his death to Miss Irene Bishop.

Hugh Glen’s brother Charles Glen had died of illness during the Boer War, serving with the Colonial Scouts. Another brother served as 3828 Henry Victor Simpson Glen in the 5th Battalion AIF and was severely wounded at Pozieres, returning to Australia early in 1917.

Hugh Glen does not have his name on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.

Hugh George Glenn was born in Bendigo, the son of Mrs Letitia Glenn.   He enlisted in Ipswich, Queensland, on 24.8.1914, aged 28 years and 6 months.   He was an Engine Fitter, 5’ 11¼” in height, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.    His signature on his Service Records is “Glenn” but his surname was misspelt on the Roll of Honor.    He was appointed to the 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment and allotted Service No. 153.    He embarked for overseas on 24.9.14.      

He landed at Anzac on 9.5.15.    The Regiment moved into action at Quinn’s Post on 13.5.15 and then to Pope’s Post. (26.5.15)   Hugh George Glenn was wounded on 30.5.15, sustaining a Bomb wound to his right thigh.    He was admitted to hospital in Malta.   He returned to Anzac on 19.7.15.

On 31.8.15, suffering from Dysentery, he was again under medical care.   He was sent to Egypt and admitted to hospital in Heliopolis.   The Medical Report stated “admitted to this hospital on 5.9.15 suffering from an obscure febrile attack, 10 days later he developed pneumonia.”    He was reported as dangerously ill on 20.9.15.  

On 11.11.15 he embarked for Australia for a 3 months Change due to Debility following Pneumonia.     In June the following year he was discharged from the AIF as “permanently unfit.”

“The Men Listed on the Roll of Honour, St John’s Presbyterian Church, Bendigo”: Larna Malone