ANZAC Centenary Memorial

About

Situated to the west of the Pialba Memorial Hall in Freedom Park, aligned southwest-northeast. Includes a statue of a Queensland Light Horseman and his mount, cast in bronze, charging the enemy trench lines during the battle of Beersheba in Egypt. Two black granite walls depict a WWI trench. The statue represents a trooper jumping over that trench on his way to battle. The badges of the three Armed Services are located on the east side of the memorial. Small plaques to individuals are mounted along the northwest sides of the memorial, on the northern east side, and within the trench. Additional Information The statue was created by artist and sculptor, Mark Snell. Perides Art Foundry transformed the works from clay to bronze. On 11 October, 2014 a dedication service was held for the new War Memorial located in Freedom Park, Hervey Bay. Two black granite walls depict a World War 1 trench. The Light Horsemen bronze statue represents our brave ANZAC jumping over that trench on his way to battle. This newly expanded and refurbished ANZAC Memorial Park will remember all those who sacrificed so much in War, including the men and women who still suffer from the terrible effects of war. The monument commemorates the Centenary of ANZAC and is a tribute to those who fought in World War One and the 160,000 horses that went to war. It also honours those who have died in all wars. The statue depicts a mounted trooper of the Australian 5th Light Horse Regiment during the Battle of Beersheba in October 1917 during World War One. The battle of took place on 31 October 1917 as part of the wider British offensive collectively known as the third Battle of Gaza. The final phase of this all day battle was the mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade which consisted of the 4th, 11th and 12th Light Horse Regiments. Commencing at dusk, members of the brigade stormed through the Turkish defences and seized the strategic town of Beersheba. The capture of Beersheba enabled British Empire forces to break the Ottoman line near Gaza on 7 November and advance into Palestine.