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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Ryan_P on Monday 27 April 15 18:01 BST (UK)
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Hi everyone, i'm in need of help and advice regarding a real life war horse story if you can assist with decoding this fascinating story.
Here in my local village since birth, there has always been a horses rest among some of our fields since I can remember. With me taking a great interest in local history, I have recently come across a very brief history of a War Horse Grave within the grounds of the horses rest. On further inspection of the headstone I was overwhelmed by the amount of detail and craftsmanship that had gone into this. Obviously showing the admiration and pride of what this horse 'Blackie' had endured and gave during his service.
We understand that 'Blackie' served with the R.F.A (Royal Field Artillery) during the first world war. During this time his driver/master was killed in Ypres. 'Blackie' lived on until 1942 when he became blind and sadly died. His driver/master left instructions in his will to bury his medals with his good and faithful horse.
The details on his headstone are as follows:
'Blackie'
Aged 35 Years
A Battery - 275th Brigade R.F.A 55th Division
France And Flanders 1915-1918
Any information or breakthroughs regarding his driver/master or 'blackie' himself would be absolutely incredible and hopefully complete this wonderful gem of history.
Thanks kindly for your time.
Ryan.
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"Blackie's" obituary in the Gloucester Citizen, Wed 16 Dec 1942
WAR HORSE BURIED WITH MASTER'S MEDALS
"Blackie" one of the horses of the last war has died at the RSPCA Horses Rest, Hunts Cross, Liverpool and been buried with the medals of his master, Lieut. Leonard Comer Wall, A Battery, 275th Brigade, R.A.F (sic!) who while riding "Blackie" was killed in France.
"Blackie" was 35 years of age and carried the marks of the shrapnel he received in the action to his death.
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This is amazing, I can not thank you enough. ;D ;D ;D
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From CWGC
Lieutenant Leonard Comer Wall
Died 09/06/1917 aged 20
Royal Field Artillery "A" Bty. 275th Bde.
Mentioned in Despatches
Grave Reference: XIII. B. 10. Cemetery:LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
Son of Charles Comer Wall and Kate Wall, of Hill Top, West Kirby, Cheshire.
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What an amazing story!
Imber
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His obituary appeared in The Liverpool Daily Post, 14 Jun 1917
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Welshnewspapersonline http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/home
In early 1906 Charles Comer Hall was advertising in the North Wales papers. I wonder if his search was successful?
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The Liverpool Daily Post, 5 Aug 1918 repeated the obituary and also published a short poem by Leonard, written Flanders, April 1917. The last line of the poem was to be used to commemorate the dead of the 55th Division that had adopted the subject of the poem "The Red Rose" as its divisional sign.
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Hi Ryan, there is some more information about Leonard and his parents in this weblog
http://forgottenpoetsofww1.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/another-forgotten-ww1-soldier-poet.html
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Thanks for posting. Lieut. Wall's poem gave rise to the adoption of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division's motto, 'They Win or Die who wear the Rose of Lancaster'. This was used on the grave marker placed by the divisional chaplain on many hundreds of 55th Division graves on the Western Front.
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I called at the RSPCA site yesterday, now run as a dogs and cats shelter, but without horses. I could not take a photo of the memorial as it is in a paddock full of sheep but the staff have kindly sent me some pics. As there was a strong shadow over the stone it is not suitable for posting here but the full text is:
BLACK HORSE
"BLACKIE"
AGED 35 YEARS
A BATTERY 275TH BRIGADE RFA 55TH DIVISION
FRANCE AND FLANDERS 1915 - 1919
AT THE LIVERPOOL HORSES' REST
1930 - 1942
I hope I have not missed anything from the image.
A
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Ainslie,
Many thanks for the update and taking time out to visit the site of "Blackie's" memorial.
I've enjoyed but it has been a privilege to contribute to this post.
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I am amazed at the amount of references and documents that have reported L.C.Wall's life and death in such detail. But yet I am struggling to find any photographs of him, I understand that he came from a affluent background this giving me more encouragement to hopefully discover this last missing piece. Any suggestions or advice would be gladly appreciated and thanks again for your time.
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Is this anything to do with you?
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/in-your-area/can-you-help-search-wirral-born-9134743
Unfortunately that's not his photo, but it might be worth contacting the writer of the artical.
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Unfortunately I am unable to contact the article writer as I do not have a blogger account.
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Just to finish off this inspiring tale. :D
(https://dub124.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=1&messageId=0f8eca68-f235-11e4-b626-00237de3e47e&Aux=950%7c0%7c8D25458FAA16E40%7c%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c%7c%7c45%7crdaglish%40blueyonder.co.uk&cid=fdeb5406de97ce01&maxwidth=220&maxheight=160&size=Att&blob=MXxMdCBMIEMgV2FsbCwgUkZBLmpwZWd8aW1hZ2UvanBlZw_3d_3d)
RFA TF taken at Canterbury in Sept. 1915. It is from the War Diary of the 1st West Lancashire Brigade, RFA published in 1923.
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I wrote to the RSPCA to request access to visit the pet cemetery and I was told that only dogs are buried there (between the two world wars). The words pet cemetery are typed within quote marks. I am going to visit the cemetery accompanied by a member of staff from the RSPCA. Does anyone have the response from the RSPCA with the photo of Blackie's headstone? Thank you.
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Ryan P took a photo in May after being allowed access and cleaning the headstone. If he sees this he may respond.
The RSPCA did send me photos of the Blackie memorial before Ryan's visit and cleaning work, but they were not very clear.
A
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Thank you for replying so quickly Ainslie. Hopefully Ryan will see my post. I made enquiries about the pet cemetery because it is under threat from house building under Knowsley's Local Plan and the proposed building on green belt land. The RSPCA owns the land on which the animal centre and the pet cemetery are located and Knowsley's Local Plan is an opportunity for the Liverpool branch of the RSPCA to secure its future. The RSPCA is exploring its options. Some residents are forming a group to try and prevent the loss of green belt land and to encourage more responsible urban development. The loss of Blackie's grave and the pet cemetery would not be of benefit. PCD
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You may consider writing to the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray,
Which is the current home base for Army Horses, and military dogs.
They will surely be interested in t he story.
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Thanks for the update
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Thanks for the suggestion to write to the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray. I have been trying to find out if there is an organisation that deals with animals used in the military.
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There was an Open Day several years ago that I went to. They probably hold an open day every year.
I travel through Melton Mowbray several times a year, and some of the pastures for the horses are alongside the road. The Horses always look well groomed and smart.
If you write them a letter, I suggest the address : Officer Commanding,
Defence Animal Centre,
Melton Mowbray, Liecestershire will find them.
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Here's the full address
The Defence Animal Centre
Asfordby Road
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE13 0HX
That brought back some memories. Years and years ago I did a teaching practice in Melton Mowbray and someone from there came into the school to give a talk. We were later allowed to go and look around the centre.
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Thank you everyone, when doing a search the Defence Animal Centre is for current animals so I will write to them and to the Imperial War Museum. The more information the better. I did write to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission but they deal with soldiers' graves only. The city library may also be able to help. Apparently war horses were left to pasture at Bowring Park, Liverpool but it seems only Blackie has a grave and headstone.
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However, I believe that Melton Mowbray was a Re-mount depot in 1914