"...a deed of self-sacrificing bravery which has never been surpassed in military history - the charge of the Australian Light Horse into certain death at the call of their comrades need during a crisis in the greatest battle that has ever been fought on Turkish soil..."
Captain Bean, noted war historian, official observer
Source: (ALHA, 2014)
Title: Official History, C.E.W. Bean, Official Historian/ War Correspondent, 1914-18 War
Collection: Official Record
Object Type: Diary/ Official Record.
Date made: 1915
Description:
This piece of official war correspondence was taken by C.E.W Bean in 1915, as he was present at the battle of the Nek. This quote from Bean’s official history depicts the “pinnacle of prowess” (ALHA, 2014) of no finer deed then the charge of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade into battle demonstrating the self-sacrificing heroism of Australia men (ALHA, 2014). While the assault merely lasted a few hours, it called for a display of true heroism, bravery and tenacious courage of the men of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade as they charged the enemy on the 7th of August 1915
Rationale:
This piece of correspondence was chosen for the exhibition as it provides a vivid picture of the bravery of the men who fought at the battle of the Nek even though they knew it mostly likely meant death. This was selected for the exhibit as it will make a great source case study, as Bean is the official war historian/ correspondent, and it helps depicted the tragic events which took place at the Nek. There is also a hope that due to its short length that this segment of Bean’s official war correspondence will help hook students further into the exhibition after the previous painting.
