At this time of year we commemorate the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli in 1915, and pay tribute to those servicemen and women who have taken part in military operations during WWI and in many parts of the world since.
But whilst
some ten million men died in WWI, there’s a lesser known fact – sadly at least eight million horses lost their
lives also.
Australia sent 136,000 horses overseas, yet out of all these only one horse made it home.
Sandy,
pictured above, belonged to Major General Sir William Bridges, who was killed
in battle at Gallipoli.
“A gentle bay standing 16 hands high, he was the Major’s favourite charger
and it was his dying wish to have his beloved horse returned home to Australia
to enjoy a long and happy retirement.
When the Major died, Sandy was put into the care of Captain Leslie Whitfield
and was transported to Egypt then onto France in March 1916. It wasn’t until
the following year that the Australian authorities were able to honour the
Major’s dying wish and granted Sandy a safe passage to return home to
Australia.”
“Conditions on the Western Front and Middle East were often physically trying for the horses. Sometimes food, water or suitable shelter was in short supply. They suffered particularly in winter on the front because of the dampness and mud while in the Middle East, horses carried heavy loads of over 100kgs including their rider, weapons, ammunition, food, and water.”
Sources:
http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Commemorating-ANZAC-war-horses
https://www.globetrotting.com.au/sandy-australias-only-war-horse-to-return-home/
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