Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell (1884-1933)

World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Northam, Western Australia, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Light Horse Regiment, Austrailian Imperial Forces. On August 29, 1915, in Gallipoli, Turkey, during an attack on Hill 60 at Kaiakij Aghala, 2nd Lieutenant Throssell was severely wounded while leading his men. He refused to leave his post to obtain medical assistance until all danger was passed. The next morning, he had his wounds dressed, returned to the firing line and directed his in men in a counter-attack until ordered out of action by the Medical Officer. For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, he became the first Western Australian in the war to be awarded the Victoria Cross presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace on December 4, 1915. He later achieved the rank of Captain and remained with his regiment for the final offensives in Palestine. After the war, he was a representative on the Returned Soldiers' Land Settlement Board, became a real estate agent and worked temporarily in the Department of Agriculture in Western Australia. He died at the age of 49 in Greenmount, Western Australia. Cause of death, suicide.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith