Commemorating the 100 Year Anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba

The battle of Beersheba took place on 31 October 1917 as part of the wider British offensive collectively known as the third Battle of Gaza. The final phase of this all day battle was the famous mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Commencing at dusk, members of the brigade stormed through the Turkish defences and seized the strategic town of Beersheba.

The capture of Beersheba enabled British Empire forces to break the Ottoman line near Gaza on 7 November and advance into Palestine.

Ballarat had 10 soldiers and 1 nurse who took part in the this battle, and following research by Ballarat local Garry Snowden, it was found that a member of the 4th Light Horse Regiment who took part in this historic battle, Joseph Edward Mannion, was at rest in an unmarked grave at the Ballarat New Cemetery.

Following a successful fund raising campaign, the Sebastopol RSL Sub Branch in partnership with Ballarat Cemeteries, achieved the $5000 goal to restore the grave site of Mr Mannion.   His memory, and the 100th anniversary of ‘The Last Great Cavalry Charge’ will be commemorated with a service on Sunday the 29th October 2017, commencing at 11am.

RSVP FOR THIS EVENT IS THE 25 OCTOBER 2017. Call (03) 5332 1469 or email enquiries@ballaratcemeteries.com.au
Assembly will be at the crematorium carpark shortly prior to the event & please advise if you wish to lay a wreath.