Lest We Forget
8 million horses died in World War I.
Over 10 000 horses came from as far away as New Zealand to serve King and Country. Of these there are only four officers horses were reported to be repatriated back home.
Between 1914 and 1916 the New Zealand Government acquired horses for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. They served in German Samoa, Gallipoli, in the Middle East and on the Western Front. They spent 7 difficult weeks at sea leaving lush grazing behind for harsh living conditions and great extremes of temperature. Their lives were to change dramatically.
In 2007 Marcus J Wilson wrote in his thesis - 'with unquestionable willingness, patience and loyalty they yielded thier last traces of energy to honour the duty placed upon them - they deserved a medal but were never given one. However, a horse mad community in North Canterbury has put that to rights in a amazing weekend of events dedicated to the New Zealand WWI military horses, donkeys and mules.
After spotting an article in a local newspaper listing a replica plaque similar to the one for the horses at Birch Hill Station Cemetery in the Okuku/Glentui area I wanted to investigate further.
At Birch Hill Station Cemetery in North Canterbury is a large curved stone monument officially opened in 1937 by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bowler Millton.
The first plaque reads "In Memory of the Horses of the 8th Regiment of the NZMR that died in the Great War 1914 -1918". The other plaque is dedicated to the 10 men who worked on the Station.
All over the South Island there are magnificent cenotaphs dedicated to the brave soldiers but only this Okuku monument and its replica plaque at Timaru dedicated to the horses. For many there is a real unrecognised sacrifice of so many of the nations horses that left our shores leaving a huge gap in the gene pool in their absence. They acquired the best of the best and those horses loyally did whatever was required of them. Therefore, I contacted Derrick Millton the great great nephew of Lt Col EB Millton and trustee of the EB Millton Charitable Trust. The horses needed to be remembered in this generation and the next.
Six months later we had a evening of education and entertainment planned and a memorial ride with 300 registered riders and a large team of walkers all participating in either a 6km or 10 km route. Monies raised will enable future development and landscaping at the cemetery. The event was given amazing community support and was so humbling to be part of. Our secretary Sarah Flint with a passion for the history of Birch Hill Station researched the 10 men listed. Another helped us as her granddad was Major Grant a well respected 'mounted' from the Timaru branch of the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles whos beautiful horse called 'Jack" served in Egypt and then died serving in the mud in France.
On Saturday 14 February we had our Birch Hill Station WWI Guest Speaker Evening and our 500 guests were greeted by WWI nurses, uniformed soldiers and an officer leading a donkey medic complete with his RED CROSS bib on. A 20 peice Rangiora Brass Band played music of the era and the WWI atmosphere was set. A large Antique Arms display was both most informative and incredible visualy. The stage was sandbagged, native plants edged the scene, mannequin horses wore WWI gear and a framed rubbing of the plaque was center stage. There was a great atmosphere.
Many shed a tear when local film maker Paul Sanderson showed his movie 'All the Kings Horses' with black and white footage of the horses and the veterans talking of their beloved friends and the hardship and heart break. They had to shoot many of the horses as they were in no condition to be returned home and quarantine not an option for thousands of horses. Others passed on to local slavery type conditions pulling huge loads in Egypt or were pooled with the British horses to then go on to die in the mud in one of the worst winters in many years on the frozen Western Front.
Derrick Millton gave the history of Birch Hill Station. Dr Carolyn Mincham - historian gave a fabulous talk on the history and importance of the relationship between horse and man, as psychologically they fared better than the infantry due to the fact that they had an animal to care for and talk to.
The Old War Horse Hospital in Cairo (now called the 'Brooke Hospital for Animals') was discussed by North Canterbury Pony Club Patron - Rachel Ensor . See our web site at http//:birchhillmemorial.wix/ww1-ride for more details. Poet Mike Boyd recited a poem that put many a lump in ones throat. Greame Barber auctioned a stunning painting by artist Amy Sheppherd and it was purchased by a decendent of the mounted John O Sullivan depicted in the painting which is very special. Three talented local children sang the National Anthem. Horse trainer Colin Heslop played the bugle and the Wamakariri district Mayor David Ayres recited the ODE.
A stunning 97 year old lady was the spot prize winner of Dr Mincham's book and she reported later to me that at the age of 13 years she had in fact had lunch at Birch Hill with the Lt Colonel and remembered how proud he was of his farm.
The next day was the memorial ride and walk leaving from either the Hayland Homestead or the Okuku Country Estate. One scenic trail passed by the tree where Lt Col Milltons horse 'Kakahu' is buried, so we laid a wreath of poppies and rosemary as it is the plant for rememberance.
50 VIPs took to 3 clydesdale wagons for a leisurely ride after morning tea at the Estate. One of our VIPs reported that his father had been called back from the war as he was the only survivor of 4 brothers that went to serve and the only remaining living child out of 6 on his return. This type of great loss was known to many other large families at that tragic time.
250 riders travelled from 'Hayland' farm through forest , private farmland and the shallow Garry River to the lower cemetery paddock. They were guided by local equine legends - Florence West from Dusky Bay Sport Horses and Liz Thomas from Kowhai Riding School .
Jennifer Howard well known rider and author in many national equestrian circles, now aged 84 years proudly wore her father's many war medals. She was seen by my daughter having a sneaky canter on a smartly turned out grey in an effort to catch up to the walking equine procession after returning late from the VIP morning tea. A inspirational lady who made a fabulous effort and our oldest rider of the day.
50 children and some harness ponies followed behind the 3 wagons on the 6km return ride and were given goodie bags from FMG Equine as it is the children who need to remember this day more than anyone. Children of all ages in school uniform or their riding attire, laid poppies at the monument and formed a Guard of Honour. One generous grandma had made all the large red felt poppies that many of the ponies were sporting proudly on their browbands.
For the general public waiting at the cemetery, it would of looked like Noah's Ark as the horses arrived in 2s or 3s and they came in every shape , size and breed. Excited children and parents from the local RDA had a great view from up on top deck of a huge truck . They wore their RDA 'T' shirts and had their RDA banner on display, so that no horse lover was missed out.
We had a 30 minute service conducted by RSA National President BJ Clarke and others. There was an airey calm as the horses all stood still as if to be listening and riders stood respectfully beside thier mounts, men with caps removed for the national anthem. Both Derrick and I shed a tear as the view was overwhelming and the energy in our fantastic community was so respectful as we honoured our fallen friends.
In full military gear handsome black gelding 'Tallyho Hobo' was led by a WWI soldier Alex Coleman up to the cemetery. They were saluted by soldiers of the Alpha Company of the New Zealand Army . Corey Milnes - Mounted Medic and Equestrian Team Leader followed with his team carrying a beautiful floral wreath to be laid at the monument and saluted. St Johns has a connection with the monument as the emblem on the plaque is the 5th Earl of Ranfurly and he was a Knight in the Order of St Johns of Jerusalem.
10 tall white crosses were carried to the monument by family descendants and the local RSA presidents - who had done much to assist me in my planning to show respect and ensure correct procedures and protocol.
100 pigeons were released for a 100 year anniversary salute. They did two sweeps circling over the crowd before flying East for home, as did a Tiger Moth earlier.
The horses hadnt received the Dickin Medal for Animal Gallantry (also known as the Animal Victoria Cross) as did 32 WWI pigeons acting as the internet back then - but we will remember them. We have paid our tribute and provided a connection to the past so that they will never be forgotten and we owe that to EB Millton who's legacy and monument is there for all to see.
Participants all wore purple ribbons in a united nod for animal bravery and valour. Our trail markers were large wooden poppies painted purple.
We have put the stone monument on the map and high lighted the need for its recent nomination for New Zealand Heritage Listing .
One special moment for me was a lady who said " ... you dont know who I am but thank you . I have cried most of the Guest Speaker Evening and now I feel at peace with my grand father who was a mounted rifleman". There was some solem moments but also times of sheer pleasure to be in the company of so many horse lovers and their horses. I was so excited riding with everyone on the trail that my aged super quiet 24 year old horse felt my energy and put in two quick mini bucks to celebrate with me also!!
Along with photographs to down load taken by 5 top professionals for free we have a documentary being made. It will be called ' The Salute – a tribute to the unsung heroes' and it will be dedicated to the NZ WWI Military horses and to Captain Dan Thompson of the New Zealand Defence Force who participated in our event and suddenly passed away 6 days later.
The words on the plaque emblem are 'moveo et profitior' which means - ' be known by my actions'. There are way to many individuals to thank but they all played a huge role in making it a success. Our North Canterbury community has now made our own history both locally and nationally and had a great day for all to remember.
See photo project at http://www.trevwhitephotography.com/Birch-Hill-Cemetry/