• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Submit a Story
  • News tip or story suggestion?
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

View News Sunshine Coast | viewnews.com.au

Independent local news

Sunshine Coast Local News

Independent, locally owned and operated. Online since 2008.

  • News
    • Queensland
    • Sunshine Coast
      • Caloundra
      • Kawana
      • Maroochydore
      • Nambour
      • Hinterland
      • Buderim
      • Mooloolaba
      • Coolum
      • Noosa
  • Sport
  • Business & Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology
  • Environment
  • Video

Beersheba Day, Light Horse charge remembered

17th Oct, 2011 by Charles Hodgson View News

Maleny 5th Light Horse
Volunteers of The Maleny Troop of the 5th Light Horse Regiment’s parade in Maleny
The Maleny Troop of the 5th Light Horse Regiment will be parading through Maleny on Saturday 29th of October in memory of the victorious World War 1 Australian Light Horse charge at Beersheba, Palestine.
The parade starts at 10.40am at the Junction of Maple and Myrtle Streets and ends at the RSL where a short ceremony to mark the day will be held commencing at 11am.
Beersheba was the last ever successful mounted charge in modern wartime history.
On that fateful October 31st day in 1917 a furious battle had raged around the Turkish occupied town of Beersheba. The total combined efforts of the English, Welsh, Scottish, New Zealanders and Australian forces during that long day had not been enough to gain a decisive victory against the Turks.
Fighting in the desert was merciless – should the troops run out of water, the battle would be lost. As the day was drawing to a close it became apparent that if victory was not seized on this day, many men and horses would not only succumb to bombs and bullets but a great deal more would die from thirst before reaching safety some 40 kilometres march away.
At 4.10 that afternoon a decision was made to have the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade form up and conduct a cavalry charge straight at the Turkish fortified trenches.
It defies belief that men on horseback with rifles slung round their necks and bayonets in hand could ride over 3 kilometres of completely open terrain straight trough artillery shells, machine gun and rifle fire, then fight hand to hand against overwhelmingly superior numbers and still win the battle.
Many, many tales of bravery and acts of mateship are told about this day and rightly so. Typically there is always the Australian larrikin story of how it was the horses fault, for as soon as they smelt the water there was no stopping them!
This decisive battle was won by normal men mounted on sturdy Australian horses and their efforts are honoured on this day by a group of volunteers who take great care and pride of our Australian heritage in the remembrance of this act of courage and daring.
So when you see this wonderful parade of horse and riders marching through your town remember this day with pride.
Suzy Werry
 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Related

Filed Under: News Topics: Maleny, Maleny 5th Light Horse

Support independent, locally owned and operated news.

Enter your email and hit Subscribe to receive notifications of the latest local news by email.

Primary Sidebar

Sunshine Coast news on social media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to support independent local news

Stay up to date. Receive an email of new posts and comments (optional) when you become a subscriber.

Top Posts

  • Spotlight Property Group commences work on $30 million dollar Maroochydore City Centre retail development
    Spotlight Property Group commences work on $30 million dollar Maroochydore City Centre retail development
  • Six stunning SoHo townhomes released in Maroochydore CBD
    Six stunning SoHo townhomes released in Maroochydore CBD
  • Sunshine Coast Airport Runway Opening
    Sunshine Coast Airport Runway Opening
  • OSCA turns food waste into a valuable resource
    OSCA turns food waste into a valuable resource
  • New school bus services for new communities and schools
    New school bus services for new communities and schools
Copyright © 2008–2021 View News and Media