A TURKISH cavalry sword captured during World War 1 by a Tamworth Light Horse officer, Major Eric Hyman DSO and Bar, was presented to the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers recently by Bruce Treloar.
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Major Hyman captured the sword following the victorious charge of the 12th Light Horse Regiment to capture the oasis at Beersheba in Palestine, as light faded on the afternoon of October 31, 1917.
Against a numerically superior defending force, and together with the 4th Regiment from Victoria, the 12th Light Horse seized the town at the gallop with flashing bayonets in hand.
The success of the charge turned stalemate into Allied victory in the Middle East during World War I. Major Hyman led A Squadron of the Regiment, which today is the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers.
"The Hyman and Treloar families have always been very close and Major Hyman gave me the sword many years ago after I offered a place for it to be displayed at home," Mr Treloar recounted.
"However, I now wish to ensure that it will be treasured for many more years to come, and that will be with his Regiment, now the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers."
Receiving the sword, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Chayko, commanding the regiment, responded: "We are delighted to be entrusted with such an icon in the histories of two great Tamworth families, the Regiment, and the nation. The sword will be a significant addition to the Regimental Collection."
