Horace Flitcroft 1914

In 1914 Horace Flitcroft was focused on studying mechanical drawing as part of his apprenticeship as a fitter with the Government Railways. Had it not been for the outbreak of World War I, he probably would have remained with the Railways - possibly until his retirement. But just as it did for many of his classmates, the war dramatically changed the pathway of his life.

At 17 he enlisted in the 10^th Light Horse. A few months later he found himself thundering across the Turkish desert in the Battle of Beersheba. He was one of hundreds of young Australians who galloped directly into canon fire, jumped enemy trenches and fought face to face with bayonets and rifles.

Horace survived the Beersheba charge without injury and went on to fight in many other major encounters, especially in Palestine. Wherever he was camped he had his camera with him to record these unforeseen events in his life.

He returned to Australia in July 1919 and was offered a soldier settlement of several thousand acres at Gabbin in Western Australia. While still a very young man he built himself a humpy from rough timber and hessian. After five years he was able to build a mud brick home where he brought his wife Marjorie who he married in 1928. They stayed on the farm for 30 years and Horace continued to record the special events of his life's journey through his camera.

Thanks to Elsie Morgan and Heather Carter for assistance with this profile.

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