He was educated at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide from January 1896 to December 1902, where, nicknamed "Jimmy", he was a noted athlete, and captain of three intercollegiate sports teams.

[citation needed] His brother, Frank Erick Cottrell Throssell, known as "Ric", also served in the war and died near Gaza.

Hampered by confusion and lack of communication between the various flanks, the battle had been raging for a week with heavy losses.A few weeks later, he fought at Hill 60: On 29–30 August 1915 at Kaiakij Aghala (Hill 60), Gallipoli, Turkey, Second Lieutenant Throssell, although severely wounded in several places, refused to leave his post during a counter-attack or to obtain medical assistance until all danger was passed, when he had his wounds dressed and returned to the firing line until ordered out of action by the Medical Officer.

[3]Whilst recuperating from his wounds in London he was introduced to Katharine Susannah Prichard, an Australian journalist who had recently won a significant novel competition and would go on to be a famous author and socialist.

He eventually returned to active service, rejoining the 10th Light Horse in the Middle East where he fought in a number of engagements, and achieved the rank of captain.

[5] Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell was buried with full military honours in the Anglican section of Karrakatta cemetery, Perth.