Aussie larrikin stole Beersheba flag to fly at his local pub, it now re-emerges in public 100 years later

FOR the first time since it led the famous cavalry charge at Beersheba, a stolen flag will be returned 100 years after it was stolen by an Aussie Trooper.

IT proudly flew over the roof of the Beersheba post office to signify the occupation and victory of the allied forces led by the charge of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade.

But that very night after the dusk charge it mysteriously disappeared and was later forgotten in history.

Next week 100 years to the day since it was stolen, the Union Jack flag that led that last great cavalry charge in history will reappear in public to lead centenary commemorations of the famous battle.

The members of the Australian Light Horse Association will no doubt attract applause as they mount in Canberra on Tuesday for the men and horses they represent, that 100 years ago on this day distinguished with that brave desert charge.

Gary Johnson with the stolen flag. Picture Gary Ramage

But perhaps the greatest cheer will go up for one group member Gary Johnson whose grandfather Alfred not only heroically made and survived that great assault in 1917 but nicked the flag under which they charged to hang behind the bar of his local pub in Victoria.

“Yes he did a Dawn Fraser,” Mr Johnson said with a chuckle yesterday as he packed the much valued flag to be carried and displayed as the centre piece of the Australian capital’s centenary commemoration of the attack.

It was that heroism twinned with bushy larrikinism that epitomised the Aussie Digger 100 years ago and still the Anzac armed forces today, although theft of a flag would no doubt now attract a Defence disciplinary tribunal appointment.

RELATED: Anzacs prepare to remember famous victory

Troopers L-R: Robert Banks, Wilson, Alfred Johnson and Corrie before the push to Beersheba in October 1917. Picture: Supplied

The then 22-year-old Trooper Alfred Johnson of the 4th Light Horse Brigade drew his bayonet as a sword, hugged his horse’s neck low to dodge the machine gun bullets and charged with his mates against the Turkish lines about this city that was once part of Palestine and now southern Israel.

The Union Jack was raised on the roof of the Beersheba Post Office but disappeared after a break-in only to reappear about a year later on the wall behind the bar of the Bridge Inn in Creswick north of Ballarat in Victoria.

Australian soldiers of the 7th Light Horse led by Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Chauvel at Beersheba in 1917.

11 year old Isaac Ford prepares for the 100th anniversary of the famous cavalry charge at the Battle of Beersheba. Picture Gary Ramage

“He charged Beersheba that day and when the allied troops captured Beersheba 60,000 Allied troops and 100,000 horses and camels swarmed into the town, they raised the Union Jack flag and my grandfather saw it and thought ‘oh that would look rather nice at my parents’ pub in Creswick’ so he knocked it off that night,” said Mr Johnson from Lithgow on the NSW Central tablelands.

“He and three mates broke into the Post Office, the three acted as cockatoos (lookout) and my grandad climbed up and saddled it. It will now be on display 100 years after it was raised up that Beersheba flag pole … it’s got a couple of holes here and there but it’s been in my family the whole time.”

Trooper Johnson, who also served with distinction at Gallipoli and Suez Canal, died from tuberculosis in 1945 aged 50.

The last great cavalry charge at Beersheba.

The pub reportedly suffered a fire and was onsold but his flag, battle spurs, fob watch and story survived.

Mr Johnson, who with then-Prime Minister Bob Hawke 25 years ago, successfully had Beersheba gazetted as a national remembrance day, will be wearing the spurs and watch and staying close to the flag amid fears both the Australian War Memorial and British Government want it back.

Around 2000 Turkish soldiers were taken prisoner.

“They’ve both asked for it back … they’re not getting it, I’m a member of the Australian Light Horse Association and it’s been bequeathed to them to carry at ceremonies and ANZAC days.”

THE LEGEND OF THE LIGHT HORSE BRIGADE

IT was raised as a mounted volunteer militia 120 years ago with a bunch of bushies from the tiny twin towns of Murrumburrah and Harden in country NSW.

But as the troupe of horsemen rode through the district and on through New England gathering men and boys from towns it was christened the 1st Australian Horse and marked the birth of the national legend of the Light Horse Brigade and the charge at Beersheba.

This weekend horsemen young and old in their myrtle green uniforms are mustering again in the district to honour that famous formation.

11-year-old Isaac Ford has been in the saddle since he was three years old. Picture Gary Ramage

Sitting atop stock-thoroughbred cross Lindy, 11-year-old Isaac Ford (pictured) is a little younger than the 15-16 year-olds who signed up back then but he’s just as enthusiastic.

“My friends are not much into it but I read a lot about them (Light Horse Brigade),” he said.

He said they were very brave and he couldn’t imagine doing what they did.

"It is important to remember the men of the Light Horse as they played a big part in Australia's history"