On 29 September 1914, both brothers presented themselves to the Northam enlistment centre and were assigned to 10 Light Horse Regiment (10LHR), forming part of 3 Light Horse Brigade. Following his schooling he worked on cattle stations in the north of WA until, in 1912, he and his brother Frank Erick (Ric) Throssell worked together a 1000-acre wheat property at Cowcowing that was a gift from their father. Throssell was born on 26 October 1884 at Northam, Western Australia and was educated at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. Service revolver issued to Lieutenant Hugo Vivian Hope 'Jim' Throssell, VC.