Lest we forget.
Sir William Deane, while Governor-General of Australia said these words in an ANZAC Day address: "Anzac is not merely about loss. It is about courage and endurance and duty and love of country and mateship, and good humour and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds”.
One of the most incredible battles that Australian soldiers have ever fought in was the World War 1 calvary charge which took place in 1917 at Beersheba in Israel. The final phase of this battle was the mounted charge of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade. Two motion films have been made about this amazing event in the First World War.
Beersheba is steeped in history. It means “well of the oath”, so named by Abraham and recorded in the Biblical book of Genesis (21:31). The wells had provided water not only to Abraham, but to Moses and David. Now on the evening of October 31st 1917 the Allied army desperately needed access to this water. They needed 1.7 million litres of water for thirsty men and horses.
Australian historian Kelvin Crombie records: “On October 31st, 1917 the war hung in the balance. 50,000 British Infantry had fought bravely (earlier in the day) but were driven back” by the Ottoman forces consisting of German and Turkish soldiers. As the sun began to set and defeat likely, the Australians attacked Beersheba with 800 men on horseback.
The Australian Light Horse Commander, Sir General Chauvel had received orders to storm Beersheba and it had to be won before nightfall at all costs. History tells us the Light Horse Brigade charged through the desert for 5 km towards Beersheba under the guns of the Ottoman force holding their bayonets in their hands like swords. “Brutal hand-to-hand combat followed and 31 Australians were killed but the 4th Light Horse Brigade prevailed. They had defeated an Ottoman force five times their size, and captured Beersheba and its vital water supply”.
At the 100th anniversary celebrations three years ago Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recounted: “Anzac soldiers went on to capture Jerusalem, then continued northwards. They were actually retracing the footsteps of the heroes of the Bible, they were stepping on the verses of the Bible and they knew it.” It was said of the Australian Light Horse Brigade leader, Sir General Chauvel, that “He carried with him on all of his campaigns a copy of the Bible which he regularly read and from which he drew inspiration. He was an active member of his local church in Australia”. He and a number of the Light Horsemen, as revealed by letters sent home to loved ones were very aware of the Biblical significance of where they were and what they were doing. Just weeks later, the Australians marched with General Allenby into Jerusalem, while in London the Balfour Declaration was signed, paving the way for the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948.
On Anzac day we pause to remember “Lest we forget”. Thank God for soldiers who died in wars to give us partial freedom. We rightly remember them on Anzac Day. But thank God all the more for Jesus who died in the greatest peace initiative of all time to give us eternal freedom – true freedom. He laid down His life so that sinful people can be reconciled with our Holy God – our Creator, if we so choose to repent of our sin and put our trust in Jesus. For the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45.
On ANZAC day and indeed every day we can pause, remember and with gratitude give thanks - LEST WE FORGET
Bruce Stewart