John Hamilton (4) (1940–)

On August 7 1915 men of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade staged one of the bravest and most futile charges of the first world war. As part of the wider offensive to break out of the Anzac trenches at Gallipoli they attempted to storm a Turkish position called the Nek. It was heavily fortified network of trenches, defended by artillery, machine-guns and thousands of men. To attack it the Light Horse had to dismount and act as infantry. They fought with nothing but bayonets and raw courage. The first wave of troopers were killed within seconds, yet over the course of the next hour, three more lines went over the top, across the bodies of their dead and dying comrades, only to be cut down themselves. All of them knew they were about to die. None held back.

Just before the order was given to send the third line, Trooper Harold Rush turned to his mate standing next to him and said, "Goodbye, Cobber, God bless you."… (mais)