Webley Mark IV Revolver : Lieutenant Hugo Throssell, VC

Webley Mark IV double action, six shot revolver. Break open frame with a release latch on the left side. Frame stamped MARK 'IV' WEBLEY MARK IV PATENTS, a double arrow sale mark, WA over an arrow and the serial number. The barrel is also stamped with WA and a broad arrow mark.

Service revolver issued to Lieutenant Hugo Vivian Hope 'Jim' Throssell, VC. Throssell was born on 26 October 1884 at Northam, Western Australia and was educated at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. Following his schooling he worked on cattle stations in the north of WA until, in 1912, he and his brother Frank Erick (Ric) Throssell worked together a 1000-acre wheat property at Cowcowing that was a gift from their father.

On 29 September 1914, both brothers presented themselves to the Northam enlistment centre and were assigned to 10 Light Horse Regiment (10LHR), forming part of 3 Light Horse Brigade. Before leaving Australia, Throssel was posted to the 2nd reinforcements for 10LHR as a second lieutenant. He embarked for Egypt on HMAT A50 Itonus on 19 February 1915. After training there he arrived at Gallipoli on 4 August and within three days was ordered to Russell's Top for an assault on The Nek. The battle of The Nek on 7 August was a disaster in which most of the regiment became casualties.

Later August Throssell was seriously wounded during the battle for Hill 60. For his actions during the battle he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was evacuated to England for treatment and was not found fit for active service again until November 1916, when he joined 10LHR in Palestine. During the Second Battle of Gaza, on 19 April 1917, he was again seriously wounded and his brother was killed. Throssel was promoted to captain on 15 August. In December, following the battle for Jerusalem, Captain Throssell and thirty men from 10LHR were given the distinction of representing Australia in the Guard of Honour for General Allenby's entry into the city.

Over the next nine months Throssell's health deteriorated and he returned to Australia in September 1918. He married the author Katherine Susannah Prichard on 28 January 1919, settling at Greenmount in Western Australia. Throssell was discharged on 13 February 1919 and was selected to represent soldiers on the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Board that same year.

Throssel became an active socialist following the war. Failed business ventures, his war experiences and depression drove him to suicide on 19 November 1933. He was buried with full military honours at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth.