
Midnight's Last Charge
Copyright © 2007 Jennifer Marshall
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Gicleé Fine Art
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Limited Edition 500 s/nCanvas
(with Certificate of Authenticity
including the true story
and historical
references)
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88.5 x 61
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78.5 x 60
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ALH.MLC-A
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$950
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75 x 61
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65 x 50
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ALH.MLC-B
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$750
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61 x 49
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50 x 39
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ALH.MLC-C
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$495
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or order /
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Lieutenant Guy Haydon and his magnificent
black mare Midnight, came from the
property "Bloomfield" in the Hunter
Valley, NSW and joined the 12th
Light Horse Regiment in 1915.
While the Australian Light Horse
were training in the Egyptian
desert, they were chosen to represent Australia against the British in a friendly equestrian competition and
the "Bloomfield Mare" won
the Sprint
Race, Flag
Race and Equitation
Test.
Guy Haydon was parted from his beloved black mare when he was sent to fight at Gallipoli. When
he returned to Egypt he
was allocated another
horse.
But no horse could replace Midnight, and he searched for weeks amongst the thousands of army
horses, until he found
her allocated to another Regiment. Negotiations between the Commanding Officers of both regiments to swap horses, soon reunited Lieutenant Haydon and
Midnight.
During the failed second battle for Gaza,
Midnight remained continuously under saddle for seven days. A testament to the endurance and stamina of this
wonderful horse, as well as to the care she received fom Haydon.
Lieutenant Guy Haydon and Midnight served together until sunset on
the 31st of October 1917 when
the 4th and 12th Regiments of
Australian Light Horse charged the Turkish
stronghold of Beersheba.
Lieutenant Haydon led his men
riding Midnight, and was one of the
first to reach the Turkish trenches outside the town.
As Midnight leaped the trench a Turkish bullet passed up through
her body, through
the saddle and up into
her rider's body where
it lodged in his back beside his spine.
Midnight was mortally wounded but while Lieutenant Guy Haydon
survived, he
was incapacitated and returned to
Australia. He died
some years later, his life tragically
shortened by his injuries.
“Spur” OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE ASSOCIATION
MAGAZINE
15TH EDITION, April 1998 p29
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