Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

LIEUT. WILLIAM KENNY HOPE on July 1, 1941, returned to his mechanised cavalry unit from leave in Cairo. Arriving at Quatana, near Damascus (Syria) on July 2, 1941, he went out on an early morning reconnaissance patrol with a Brengun carrier troop of 15 men, including Sgt. Smith. Lieut. Lindsay Ferguson showed Lieut. Hope the lay of the sector and the patrol pulled up on account of the rocky terrain, some of them proceeding on foot to old ruins in the ranges. The enemy comprised Vichy French troops — probably men of the Foreign Legion
and Lebanese units.
The two officers and Sgt. 'Jock' McEachern, of the South East (S.A.) and Trooper Moss, of Victoria, went ahead — Hope and Moss close together, with Ferguson and McEachern further out sideways. All was quiet, no enemy within sight or sound as they were out on the plain leading to the slopes of a small mountainside.'
When less than 100 yards from the old ruins, suddenly a heavy burst of machine gun-fire was concentrated on the party, who immediately went to earth on flat ground, but Lieut. Bill Hope received a burst in several places from head to shoulders and Trooper Moss made a gallant effort to carry him to safety, but being of small stature, could not carry his burden under deadly fire. He carried him some distance, but was forced to leave him and rejoin the others. A call for troops from the Squadron was made, who moved into action. Lieut Hope was still lying out in the open and could not be rescued because of the possibility of
heavy casualties. Several men were wounded in trying to get him.
RESCUED UNDER RED CROSS FLAG.
Eventually the Regimental medical officer (Capt. Palmer Weaver) and his medical orderly ('Len') went out under cover of the Red Cross flag and brought Lieut. Hope in. He was still conscious, and said he felt O.K. He was put on a truck and quickly transferred to a British casualty clearing station, in Damascus, where he probably had a blood transfusion. Next morning the Squadron were shocked to hear Lieut. Hope had passed away. Sgt. Smith says he was a most courageous and popular officer, well liked by all officers and men; most efficient and conscientious in looking after their welfare. He was buried in the Damascus
British War Cemetery on July 3, 1941, with full military honors in the presence of brother officers and his batman (Trooper George Bray) probably of Port Pirie.
He was the husband of Mrs. Josephine Hope, of 'Wolta Wolta', Clare, and a son of Mr. R. E. H. Hope and the late Mrs. Hope, also of 'Wolta Wolta'. There is a small
son — Rory Hope, who in later years will be proud to remember his father's fine record.

Northern Argus Friday 08 October 1943 page 5