And, this month marks 100 years since Australia’s 4^th and 12^th Light Horse Regiments stormed through Turkish defences, seizing the strategic town of Beersheba in Israel.

The historic Battle of Beersheba was fought on October 31 1917 as part of the wider British offensive known as the third Battle of Gaza.

The capture of Beersheba enabled British Empire forces to break the Ottoman line, a significant victory and the first time the Ottomon’s control of the Middle East was shattered irrevocably, eventually leading to the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948.

The centenary of these historic events will be celebrated locally with a number of special activities planned for the weekend of October 28 and 29 in Murrurundi.

There will be a ceremony gathering and 12^th Lighthorse parade at the Murrurundi Oval on Saturday October 28 from 11 to 12pm.

This will be followed by lunch at the Bowling Club and a special screening of ‘The Waler, Australia's Great War Horse’ from 3pm.

To coincide with the events there will also be an exhibition on show at the Historical Society and Museum Hall commencing on October 28.

Author Mark Greenwood will also be at the Murrurundi RSL Hall from 10am to 4pm with a book stand and copies of his book “Midnight”.

The story is a wonderful narrative non-fiction picture book about Lieutenant Guy Haydon and his beloved mare Midnight, and their part in the charge. 

Lieutenant Guy Haydon raised Midnight on the Bloomfield homestead near Murrurundi, now known as The Haydon Horse Stud.

In 1914, Guy joined the Light Horse Brigade and took Midnight with him to war.

The pair were separated when Guy was sent to fight on the Gallipoli frontline.

Against all odds, Guy and Midnight were reunited in Cairo and together journeyed to Beersheba to take part in the Light Horse charge that helped end the war.

Due to Midnight’s bravery, Guy miraculously survived the battle, and was able to return home and tell Midnight’s story.

“The spark to write about the Light Horse Brigade and the charge at Beersheba came from a visit to a school in Queensland where I saw the famous photograph of the charge hanging in the school hall,” author Mark Greenwood said.

Saturday October 28

11am – 12pm: 12^th Light Horse Ceremonial Parade followed by lunch at Murrurundi Bowling Club. 

10am – 4pm: ‘Midnight’ book stand with author Mark Greenwood at the RSL Hall and schools paintings inspired by the book.

10am – 4pm: Tom Thompson book stand with his new book “To Beersheba 1917” and “The Desert Column” at the RSL Hall.

3pm: Screening of the Whaler movie at Murrurundi Bowling Club.

7pm: The Whaler documentary showing White Hart Hotel – Big Screen by the River.

Exhibition on show at the Historical Society and Museum Hall.