War Horse – The Folkestone Story
The stage play of Michael Morpurgo’s book, War Horse, has served as a
reminder of the role of horses during the Great War.
Although motorised transport was widely used during the war, the horse
remained a key method of transport; many officers preferred them to cars, and it
was common for the officer to take his personal horse to the front with him. The
cavalry arrived in France with their chargers, as did the Royal Horse and Royal
Field Artillery. As the war on the Western Front became entrenched, the
opportunities for employment of the cavalry were few.
Compared to the glamorous life of a cavalry horse or a galloping team of
artillery horses, the majority of animals were destined to perform the arduous
task of beasts of burden, hauling wagons of material to and from the front, often
through roads of glutinous mud and under fire from enemy guns.
In Folkestone, the home of a permanent army garrison at Shorncliffe Camp, the
military horse was a familiar sight. Military parades through the town centre
were frequent and popular. Before the war, the army had allowed the public
relatively free access to the camp to watch the foot soldiers, artillery and cavalry
in training.
Hussars in Folkestone. June 1914
Within days of the outbreak of war in August 1914, Britain’s regular army was
dispatched to France, and with the troops went their horses. It very soon became
clear that the war would not, as some had said, ‘be over by Christmas’, and the
process began of recruiting more men. Few have not seen the iconic poster of
Lord Kitchener exhorting ‘Your country needs you’ and the massive response to
that campaign. Not so much is know about the campaign to ‘recruit’ horses.
Whilst some people voluntarily put their horses at the disposal of the army, the
vast majority of animals were compulsorily acquired, as happened to Joey in
War Horse.
Notice in Folkestone Herald August 1914
The training of horses to face the rigours of war began. Once completed they
were shipped from Folkestone Harbour to France.
Taking a dip at Folkestone
Gas mask training at Shorncliffe
Unloading at Boulogne
In the story of War Horse there was a happy ending, with Joey and Albert
ultimately being reunited. For many horses, as well as men, there was no return
journey to Blighty. It is estimated that 8 million horses died during the war.
After the war, horses continued to be a key part of the army establishment, but
their role today is limited to ceremonial duties. The cavalry now ride tanks into
action.
An artillery team at Shorncliffe 1930s
Disused stables at Shorncliffe 2012
© Michael George 2012 for Step Short
www.stepshort.co.uk