Lot 4627

Description

British War Medal 1914-18 to KIA Gallipoli. 168 Pte. J.Hay. 8-L.H.R. A.I.F. Impressed. Toned good very fine.

John Hay, clerk with the Union Bank, age 26, born at Cobden, Victoria; Enl.10Sep1914 at Melbourne, Victoria; Emb.25Feb1915; to Gallipoli 15May1915; KIA 07Aug1915 at the charge at The Nek; no known grave, commemorated on The Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli.

The charge at The Nek was made on the morning of the 7 August 1915. The attack began with an artillery bombardment of the Turkish positions but the bulk of the shells fell beyond their target and the bombardment was halted seven minutes early thus giving the Turkish troops the opportunity to re-group. The 8th Light Horse was to lead the attack and held off their assault until the allotted time of 4.30am. Because of this delay, when they were the first to go over the top they were shot down by Turkish rifle and machine gun fire with many dying only metres out of their trenches. The second line of attack, also from the 8th, scrambled over the dead and wounded to make their attack but were also shot down. During the charge, the 8th LHR suffered 154 killed and 80 wounded.

With copy of service file and other research.