The ANZAC Museum in Beersheba: Commemorating Heroism
Next year’s inauguration of Beersheba’s ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Museum marks the 100th anniversary of the Light Horse Brigade’s storming and liberation of Beersheba and liberation.
View to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Beersheba near to ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Museum work site. Photo: Yoav Devir
The ANZAC Museum is being built with the support of JNF Australia.
The achievement of ANZAC and British troops at the Battle of Beersheba during World War I is considered the turning point in the conquest of the Land of Israel and victory over the Ottoman army. “This museum will be a beacon of heroism, heritage, freedom,” declared Ruvik Danilovich, the Mayor of Beersheba.
“We want to show visitors what a soldier who fought here a hundred years ago experienced – how did he feel about being thousands of kilometers away from home?”- Amit Reingold, Director of Beersheba Municipality’s Logistics Department. Photo: Yoav Devir
The museum’s display will include soldiers’ letters and personal belongings that reveal the struggles behind the heroism. As visitors view this fascinating exhibition, they will be raised in an elevator, which, when the doors open, will disgorge them onto a platform that provides a view of Beersheba’s Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.
The Museum will perpetuate the memory of the ANZAC and British soldiers buried in this cemetery. “It is only proper that Beersheba should pay its respects to the heroic fighters who liberated the city,” states Mayor Danilovich.
The ANZAC Museum is the latest in a series of museums in Beersheba’s Old City that tell the story of the town from the days of Abraham until the present day. The museum will be integrated into the ANZAC Trail which traces the route followed by the Light Horse Brigade from the Gaza border to its conquest of Beersheba.
Mayor Danilovich regards the establishment of the museum as a symbol of the close relations between Australia and Israel. “We shall inaugurate this unique museum devoted entirely to the heroism of the ANZACS, which is our shared heritage.”
The inauguration of the museum is planned for October 31st, 2017.
A former Channel & (Prime) News reader Mr. David Evan has managed to erect a statue of a horse and soldier of the Light Horse brigade here in Tamworth Bicentennial Park with no help from the R.S.L. here in Tamworth. You may not be aware but this gentleman always rode in the Parades on his horse in full uniform representing the fallen Light Horse at Beersheba. Tamworth Light Horse Brigade Beersheba Barracks is on the Armidale Road here in Tamworth. It would be the most wonderful think you could do if you could send this Gentleman to Israel as he has been wanting to go for years and tack part in their Anzac/Beersheba celebrations. I’m sure Prime News in Tamworth or the ABC Radio station in Tamworth will be able to give you his home address. Perhaps you could send someone out to Tamworth and take a look at the wonderful full size bronz statue that stands in out Bicentennial Park. It will bring tear to your eyes… a wonderful masterpeace and an honour to bothe the Lighthorse Soldier and the people of Israel. Beersheba.