The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA032
Saturday, 12 April 2008
LIGHT HORSE VETERANS TO HONOUR FOREBEARS AT BEERSHEBA
Seven World War II veterans who served in Australian light horse units will attend the dedication of a
memorial to the light horse in Be’er-Sheva, Israel, on 28 April, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan
Griffin, announced today.
Mr Griffin, who will be joining the veterans for the dedication, said they would be travelling as guests of
the Australian Government.
“The 4th and 12th Light Horse successfully charged the Turkish defenders at Beersheba to take the
town on 31 October 1917, a famous action which turned the tide of the Palestine campaign in the First
World War,” Mr Griffin said.
A key feature of the memorial is a sculpture by Australian sculptor Peter Corlett of a mounted light
horseman in full flight as he leaps the trenches during the charge at Beersheba (now called Be'er-
Sheva). It will be dedicated during a memorial service conducted by the Australian Government.
The memorial is the centrepiece of the Park of the Australian Soldier, an initiative of Australia’s Pratt
Foundation to recognise the contribution of Australian service personnel in the Middle East in the First
and Second World Wars and subsequent peace operations. The Park will be dedicated by the Governor-
General, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, and the President of Israel, Shimon Peres, on
April 28.
“The light horse is legendary in Australia and a mission party of Second World War light horsemen is an
appropriate way to honour the light horse at the dedication of this memorial.”
The members of the party are:
Veteran
Unit
State
Mr Ernest (Bob) Archer
6th Light Horse
Orange, NSW
Mr Ronald (Ron) Hatch
10th Light Horse
Lesmurdie, WA
Mr Douglas (Doug) Lade
20th Light Horse
Highlands via
Seymour, VIC
Mr Edward (Ted) Mulligan OAM
12th Light Horse
Guyra, NSW
Mr Eric Nunn
6th Light Horse
Orange, NSW
Mr Dale Robertson
2nd Light Horse
Peakhurst, NSW
Mr John Stuart
10th Light Horse
Merriwa, WA
NOTE: Biographies of the veterans are available on request.
Inquiries:
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
Department of Veterans’ Affairs: Lachlan Leslie 0420 962 506
NEWS 
