621 Private (Pte) Rowland Thomas Hassall, C Squadron 12th Light Horse Regiment, (left) giving ...

621 Private (Pte) Rowland Thomas Hassall, C Squadron 12th Light Horse Regiment, (left) giving his friend 620 (Pte) Geoffrey Austin Hill (right) some money to buy things for him when the latter was on leave in Cairo. Both men embarked with their unit from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 13 June 1915. Pte Hassall was later promoted to Lieutenant in the 4th Machine Gun Squadron and returned to Australia on 19 February 1919. He served in the Second World War for a year in the 14th Motor Regiment as a captain with the number N5351. Pte Hill remained with the Regiment throughout the war and was promoted to Sergeant. He was awarded the DCM for "... gallantry and devotion to duty during the Jesr El Demia operations in May 1918. He carried despatches repeatedly across fire swept ground, and his daring in watching the movements of the enemy resulted in valuable information. At Mussalaba also his night scouting was of the greatest value. His courage and coolness in action has always been conspicuous." He returned to Australia on 28 August 1919 and served as a lieutenant in the Second World War with the 1st Labour Company.