Riverstone marks centenary of the Battle of Beersheba

THE heroes Battle of Beersheba, famously known for the charge of the 800 Anzac Light Horsemen, were honoured and remembered at the Riverstone Cenotaph on Tuesday afternoon.

James Downey laying a wreath to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba at the Riverstone Cenotaph. Picture: Rosemary Phillis, Riverstone Historical Society

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THE heroes Battle of Beersheba, famously known for the charge of the 800 Anzac Light Horsemen, were honoured and remembered at the Riverstone Cenotaph on Tuesday afternoon.

James Downey and some residents — including a woman horsewoman — laid wreaths and flowers as they remembered the hundreds of brave Australians who successfully charged the Turkish defences at Beersheba on October 31, 1917.

Downey made a short speech about the battle after which the Last Post was played.

Australian Army soldiers present the Guidons of the 4th and 12th Australian Light Horse Regiments as part of commemoration of the Battle of Beersheba in Israel.

“It was a small crowd but well worth it,” Downey said.

“I put the notice about our planned visit to the Riverstone Cenotaph on social media and residents responded.

Joey and his rider at the Riverstone Cenotaph. Picture: Rosemary Phillis

“A lady from Vineyard rode down to the cenotaph on her horse Joey.

“It was fantastic to have them attend.”

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shakes hands with 82-year-old Avon Moffatt, dressed in WWI uniform after taking part in the re-enactment of the Battle of Beersheba in Israel, on Tuesday, October 31. Picture: AAP

In Bersheeba itself, Australian and New Zealand flags lined the streets in salute to the 1350 Australians and 345 New Zealanders who lost their lives in the battle of Beersheba and the Sinai-Palestine campaign.

A total of 31 Australians were killed in the charge that overwhelmed around 4000 Turkish troops and was a big turning point in World War I.

Of the thousands of horses sent from Australia overseas during the war, only one came home and is buried at the Australian Defence Force Academy Duntroon in Canberra.