Major General Sir Thomas William Glasgow KCB CB CMG DSO digital story

The story of Major General Sir Thomas William Glasgow , Queensland's highest ranking First World War soldier, and an effective and highly regarded divisional commander. Born in Tiaro in 1876, Glasgow enlisted with the Wide Bay Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry and served with distinction in the Boer War, where he won the DSO while still a Lieutenant. He organised the 13th Light Horse Regiment at Gympie in 1903, and at the outbreak of the First World War enlisted in the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. Glasgow earned distinction at Gallipoli, leading the Australian assault on Dead Man's Ridge, and on the Western Front he was appointed commander of 13th Infantry Brigade as part of 4th Australian Division. On 25 April 1918, 13th Brigade, together with Harold 'Pompey' Elliott's 15th Brigade, staged an important counterattack to recapture the town of Villers-Bretonneux. This action played a significant role in turning back the German Spring 1918 advance. In June 1918 Glasgow was given command of 1st Australian Division. In 1919 Glasgow was appointed K.C.B., was awarded the French Légion d'honneur and the Croix de Guerre, and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. After the war he commanded 4th Division, became honorary colonel of the 5th Light Horse and the 1st Battalion, and led the Anzac Day parade in Brisbane for 20 years. From 1919-1931 Glasgow served in the Australian Senate as a Nationalist. From April 1927 until October 1929 he was minister for defence. In 1939 Glasgow was appointed first Australian high commissioner to Canada, and returned to Australia in 1945 to resume pastoral and business interests in Queensland. He died in Brisbane in 1955 and was given a state funeral.