Dorrigo’s commemoration of the Beersheba centenary served not only to mark the historic event described as ‘the last successful cavalry charge in British military history’ but also to honour the men and horses involved and give their descendants a chance to meet up and exchange stories.
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Families from up and down the east coast came along bearing photos and diaries, including Terry Collins from Newcastle, whose maternal grandfather was Ernest Pauls, one of two Dorrigo-born members of the 12th Light Horse Regiment and the only one to return home.
Private Walter Bede Greenhalgh, also from Dorrigo, died during the charge, along with 30 of his comrades.
In his memory, a Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse, which has been DNA-tested as being from the bloodline of the Australian war horses known as Walers, has been gifted to the Dorrigo RSL sub-branch by Peter Feros and given the name of Bede.
Two other equine descendants of the Walers also attended the commemoration service, both owned by Dorrigo Wagyu beef farmer Arnold Duckett: Cassie, a nine-year-old mare and Rocky, a four-year-old gelding.
The Beersheba celebrations, held over four days from October 15-18, were instigated by Peter Feros, principal of the Dorrigo Hotel, and included a showcase of the town’s natural and cultural attractions, particularly the World Heritage listed Gondwana rainforest of the Dorrigo National Park.