War Horse Grave 'Blackie'

[Ryan_P]

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.

 

[hanes teulu]

"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.

[Ryan_P]

This is amazing, I can not thank you enough. 

[groom]

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.

[IMBER]

What an amazing story!

Imber

[hanes teulu]

His obituary appeared in The Liverpool Daily Post, 14 Jun 1917

[hanes teulu]

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?

[hanes teulu]

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.

[Jool]

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