Casualties of Beersheba

The sacrifice of the men who fought in the Battle of Beersheba will be remembered at a commemorative service in the CWGC’s Beersheba War Cemetery today, marking the centenary of the victory. Here are the stories of some of those who lost their lives.

Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Cecil Maygar VC DSO VD

Born in Australia, but of British and Hungarian descent, Leslie served during the Boer war, where he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Reporting the actions which led to the award, the London Gazette said:

“On 23 November 1901 at Geelhoutboom, Natal, Maygar galloped out and ordered men of a detached post, which was being outflanked, to retire. The horse of one of the men was shot under him when the enemy were within 200 yards and he dismounted and lifted the man on to his own horse which bolted into boggy ground, making them both dismount. As the horse could not carry two, Maygar again put the man on its back and told him to gallop for cover at once, while he himself went on foot. All this took place under very heavy fire.”

Following the outbreak of the First World War, being overage, Leslie lied about his date of birth to enlist. He served at Gallipoli in 1915. He 

became commander of the 8th Australian Light Horse and served in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, temporarily commanding the 3rd Light Horse Brigade on three occasions. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in June 1917, and qualified for the Volunteer Officers' Decoration (VD) in July. Leslie was wounded during the Battle of Beersheba by a German aircraft on 31 October 1917 and died in hospital in Karm, Palestine, on 1 November. 

He is buried in CWGC Beersheba War Cemetery, Q. 82.

Major Alexander Malins Lafone VC

John was born in January 1893 in Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales. He attended Oxford and was a member of the Officer Training Corps. He joined the Middlesex Hospital when only 16-years-old, and it was while he was in London that he joined the University of London Officers Training Corps, obtaining a commission in the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1914. He was with them in camp when war was declared. Being anxious to qualify, he was seconded to complete his medical studies. After obtaining his degrees, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was stationed in Egypt and in March 1917 during the First Battle of Gaza won the Military Cross for bravery attending to the wounded. On 6 November 1917, during the Battle of Hareira and Sheria, he performed the deeds for which he would be awarded the Victoria Cross. The London Gazette reported:

"For most conspicuous bravery displayed in action until he was killed. Capt. Russell repeatedly went out to attend the wounded under murderous fire from snipers and machine guns, and, in many cases where no other means were at hand, carried them in himself although almost exhausted. He showed the highest possible degree of valour."