Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Lieutenant (later Major) Oliver Hogue, 2nd Light Horse Brigade, later of the 14th Light Horse Brigade, outside a dugout on Anzac. Lt Hogue of Sydney, NSW, worked as a journalist prior to his enlistment on 16 September 1914. He served through almost the entire Gallipoli campaign, and later commanded the 14th Light Horse Regiment during the lightning campaign that cleared the Turks out of Palestine and Syria. Under the pen-name of 'Trooper Bluegum', Lt Hogue chronicled his experiences and wrote three books: 'Love Letters of an Anzac', 'Trooper Bluegum at the Dardanelles' and 'The Cameliers'. Lt Hogue died of influenza in London on 3 March 1919. He is mentioned in despatches for his gallantry and devotion to duty." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au) (www.awm.gov.au)

Born in Glebe in 1880, Oliver was the second son of Mr. J.A. Hogue, ex Minister for Education.  He was educated at the Superior Public School at Forest Lodge, and was captain of the school cricket team when it won the schools' competition.  For two years he represented Glebe in first-class circket.  He was for many years a member of the Glebe Presbyterian Church and took an active part in the Fellowship Union connected therewith.

Joining the staff of the Sydney Morning Herald as a junior reporter in July 1907, he soon worked his way up to a responsible postion.  He was an able writer, and his press contribution during the war under the pen name of 'Troper Bleugum' were highly appreciated by a wide circle of readers.  He has in each of his three books - 'Trooper Bleugum at the Dardanelles' 'Love Letters of an Anzac' and 'With the Cameiers' - left unforgettable descriptions of famous fights and famous scenes.

When the war came he was one of the first to drop his pen for the sword.  He enlisted in the 6th Light Horse.  From the rank of Trooper he speedily rose in the service, obtained a commission, and, as Second-Lieutenant, was chosen orderly to Brigadier-General Ryrie.  He spent five exciting months on Gallipli, and after the evacuation was transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps, and by reason of his good work attained the rank first of Captain and then of Major.  He went with the victorious amry into Palestine, was in most of the important engagements, and was at Jerusalem when it fell.  At the clonclusion of hostilities he left for London to supervixe the publication of this third book, and there fell a victim to influenza, passing away on March 3, 1919 at the No. 3 London General Hospital.

"TO MY CAMEL"

You're an ugly smellful creature:
You're a blot upon the plain:

I have seen Mohamed beat you,
And it gave me little pain.

You're spiteful and you're lazy,

You'd send a white man crazy,

But I reckon you're a daisy
When the Turks come out again.

Your head is most unsightly,
And so is your humpy back;

I hear you roaring nightly,
When you're loading for the track.

You're bow-legged and you're bandy,

But in this desert sandy

It's as well to have you handy:
You're a mighty useful hack.

You shake me something cruel
When you try to do a trot;
I've got to take my gruel.

But you make it very hot :
I've somehow got a notion
That your humpty-dumpty motion
Is worse than on the ocean,
It's a nasty way you've got.

It's a sun-scorched land, the East is.

So we need you when we trek:
My old prad a better beast is.

But he'd soon become a wreck:
You thirst a week unblinking,
And when I see you drinking,
You alWkys set me thinking:
Lord, I wish I had your neck.

Submitted by Julianne T Ryan, written by Oliver Hogue in 1919.  07/03/2017.  Lest we forget.