Albany services remember Charge of Beersheba and ongoing contributions of nurses

Two important services were conducted by the RSL Albany sub-branch at the weekend in remembrance of the Charge of Beersheba and the continuing contribution and sacrifices made by nurses.

Saturday’s Charge of Beersheba Service marked 106 years since the last successful horse-led cavalry charge was carried out by members of the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade.

A small crowd gathered at Albany’s Desert Mounted Corps Memorial at the top of Mt Clarence for the service.

Members of Albany’s 10th Light Horse Troop — including Maxine Brown, Jonathan Lamprell-Jarrett and Chantelle Hartney — played key roles in the service, which RSL service director Michael Tugwell described as “their service”.

As he delivered the prayer, Reverend John Abraham made reference to the current and ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel, which is being fought in a similar region to the Battle of Beersheba.

During her keynote address, historian Sue Lefroy asked what it meant for the battle to be labelled a key point in the British campaign against the Ottoman Empire in World War I.

Many wreaths were laid at the base of the memorial, including by new Albany Mayor Greg Stocks and recently appointed Albany RSL sub-branch president Rex Hendriks.

The catafalque party was made up of members of the Albany 505 Army Cadet unit, and members of Albany’s 10th Light Horse Troop served as flag orderlies.

The Nurses Memorial Service on Sunday was moved from the Nurses Memorial Garden on Proudlove Parade to the Albany RSL headquarters on Stirling Terrace because of concerns about wet weather.

The service is held annually to remember the contributions of nurses within and beyond the armed services.

It included a keynote address by registered nurse and first aid trainer Heather Malacari, with wreaths laid by community members representing different groups.

Reverend Helen Barnard led the service in prayer and benediction.