Historical information

The Wells of Beersheba is a short romanticized account of the Battle of Beersheba, which took place on 31 October 1917 in Ottoman Palestine during the First World War between the attacking mounted infantry of Australia and New Zealand and the defending Ottoman garrison. It was written by the Australian author Frank Dalby Davison who was not present at the battle, but had been in the British cavalry during the war. Much of the book, which is more fictionalized reportage than novella, and in which no single character is drawn, reflects the codependency of horse and rider and the shock of battle. This booklet was first published in 1933.

It was originally published in Sydney in 1933 by Angus & Robertson under the title The Wells of Beersheba. An Epic of the Australian Light Horse 1914-1918, with illustrations by Will Mahoney.

Significance

WW1 semi-fictional association with the Battle of Beersheba - 4th Light Horse Brigade Australian Infantry Forces. October 1917. Ottoman Empire Palestine.

Physical description

Booklet titled "The Wells of Beersheba" by Frank Dalby Davison and illustrated by Will Mahony. Semi Cardboard Cover with parchment paper internally. The cover has a light rose colored pattern surrounding the title, author and illustrator details.

Inscriptions & markings

Front cover has title "The Wells of Beersheba" and author Frank Dalby Davison with illustrator Will Mahony. There is a light rose colored pattern on the front cover.