Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gallipoli, 1915

Tpr. Thomas Brooke Stanley, D.C.M., [1] 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, wrote to his father in Sheffield, Yorkshire, on 19th October 1915. Describing the fighting at Hill 60, he reserved special praise for a comrade, Cpl. Sutton Henry Ferrier (pictured).

“I heard to-day that Lieutenant Throssell, [2] one of our officers, who was in our last charge (the one I was in), has been fixed for a V.C. I think I know another who should have that little honor also, a bomb-thrower named Ferrier. I was there, and only my sergeant and myself were left there at the dawn of day. I will try and detail the affair to you. We bomb-throwers did our work behind two barricades. On our left was an embrasure, rather wide and dangerous, on account of the chance of bombs getting home every time. A bomb-proof shelter was erected over part of the embrasure. We stood between number two and shelter, with a sniper. I was at the side of the lieutenant, another chap was in front of him, and the sergeant behind me changing rifles. Bombs arriving were thrown out quickly, and never once was there a casualty from them, bullets doing all the damage. Ferrier got a bullet after the other bomb-thrower was killed, and fell half under the bomb-proof. The one in front of the lieutenant was finished at last, after having had some miraculous escapes, and being like a wild man. The lieutenant was on his own... The lieutenant got a ping in the arm and went to have it dressed. Two of us now, and bombs coming in steadily. One dropped beyond the bomb-proof amongst our poor fellows. It was impossible to get it out in time, so we two kept on firing, the bomb apparently blowing everything to a quick end. Inquiries for more men were not satisfied, so after daylight was firmly established we went back to the other fellows... But what I want to point out is that Ferrier [3] walked out of the trench with the muscles of one arm blown away by the bomb and then wanted to go straight back!” [4]

[1] Stanley did not mention that his bravery had been recognised by the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His official citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 29th and 30th August, 1915, at Kaiajik Aghala (Hill 60, Dardanelles), when he was one of a party which held an important point in a trench for thirty-seven hours consecutively, during which period there was almost incessant hand-to-hand fighting. He displayed great coolness and bravery, and when finally a withdrawal was necessary he was the last to leave the trench.” ('London Gazette,' 29th November 1915.)

[2] Captain Hugo Throssell, V.C. The citation for his Victoria Cross was published in the 'London Gazette', 15th November 1915:
"On 29–30 August 1915 at Kaiakij Aghala (Hill 60), Gallipoli, Turkey, Second Lieutenant Throssell, although severely wounded in several places, refused to leave his post during a counter-attack or to obtain medical assistance until all danger was passed, when he had his wounds dressed and returned to the firing line until ordered out of action by the Medical Officer. By his personal courage and example he kept up the spirits of his party and was largely instrumental in saving the situation at a critical period."

[3] Cpl. Sutton Henry Ferrier, 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, was severely wounded on 29th August 1915 and died aboard the hospital ship 'Devanha' on 9th September 1915. Commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, he was the son of John Ferrier, of Echuca, Victoria.

[4] 'The Riverine Herald' (Echuca, Victoria), 1st February 1916.

From Margaret Paterson, 10th Light Horse Bunbury Troop

My grandfather Tom Stanley DCM of the 10th Light Horse was a part of the final evacuation from the Gallipoli Penisula ago 105 years ago today. He had already been carried from the peninsula three times, injured or seriously ill. But each time he returned. He described that final evacuation as the most successful part of the campaign. He wrote a poignant and extensive journal which I one day plan to publish. In the meanwhile, members may be interested in a quote from his reflections on the Great Silence and the Evacuation.

'It grew colder and damper, with frost and greasy clay. Casualties continued to thin the line with few if any replacements… Everyone resigned himself to the obvious inevitable … we were there for keeps… Then came the Great Silence… three days and three nights were prescribed. On the third night, a terrific storm burst through the blackness … Out at sea a destroyer had a searchlight trained on their left flank…and that light moved in an arc along their whole front… Terror overcame the Turks; a great bonfire appeared and masses in full view … but not a shot was fired and when the storm subsided we filed down…one long thin line to the Beach… and a boat… waving goodbye from a place which had seen a play of pawns holding a useless flank on a vast chessboard… and proceeded once more to Heliopolis race-course and recuperation.' Lest We Forget