the 11th hour of 11th month

[babymare]

Rememberance day is here and I wear my poppy with pride. i bow my head and stand and give thanks to all who have given all for me. i give to the poppy of course but to equine sanctuary every year. Something dear to my heart top
just stop when the bells chime. stop and give thanks to all human and equine who gave so much for us.

 

[Clare85]

I was pulled from my field, from my work, from my play,
Ne'er again to see England, in lands far away,
Through death and destruction, through blood sweat and tears,
I carried my master, along with my peers,
So I ask you to remember a while,
Along with the soldiers, in smart rank and file,
Remember our beauty, the strength of our kind,
As we galloped through danger, without care to mind,
For we were the horses thrust into war,
And we gave up our lives for your peace evermore.

The War Horse, 1914 - 1918

 

[hnmisty]

My housemate last year (fat and disgustingly filthy history PhD student) didn't think the animals in war deserved to be remembered.

I only have to look at photos of horses on the western front and I get something in my eye.

Equines still played a massive role in WW2, especially in the war in the far east. Some soldiers said the horses were the saddest sight they saw. My dad got me a book on the role of horses at war from the Boer war to WW1. Some of the attitudes of the cavalry were absolutely shocking. Not to mention the dogs and pigeons.

There is an animals in war remembrance day, I think it's just before remembrance day.

 

[xDundryx]

Not equine but 4 legged heros! My last tour out in afghan I had two amazing spaniels who gave their all I have never been more proud of the job all service personnel do nor my little friends who used to take over my sleeping bag and try to shove me out of it when we were out on the ground, they risked their little lives every day along with us and were a fantastic source of morale and comfort for 7 long months.Heroes all of our military 4 legged friends x

 

[wench]

The last cavalry charge was in WW2.

Romanians charged German tanks with their cavalry as they had nothing else. I doubt they made it very far.

 

[PolarSkye]

The last cavalry charge was in WW2.

Romanians charged German tanks with their cavalry as they had nothing else. I doubt they made it very far.

Ugh. That's just too grim to contemplate. My (Irish - not that it matters) grandfather was in the cavalry . . . went out to N. Africa . . . when they withdrew/packed up to go home, their commanding officers told them to take their service revolvers and shoot their mounts rather than leave them to an uncertain future/certain neglect.

Stayed with him until he died . . . and when he told me, and showed me the buckles he kept from his horse's tack, it stayed with me too.

P