Last updated: 24 October 2011
Until August 2012 - Special Exhibition Gallery
A major special exhibition exploring the hugely popular 'War Horse' novel.
A hands-on interactive exhibition for all the family, this compelling story will be brought to life using exclusive material from Michael Morpurgo and the acclaimed stage production by the National Theatre.
The touching 'real life' stories of the horses and men who depended on them will be illustrated through the Museum's rich collection encouraging visitors to think about the millions of War Horses who have supported the British Army across time.
27 May 2011, 10.47pm
Sounds really interesting,
Sounds really interesting, might make us think about our readiness to use animals in dangerous situations, with our reputation as a nation of animal lovers.
13 September 2011, 4.24pm
Sounds great, is it open all
Sounds great, is it open all year from Oct 22? I'm a member of the RSPCA and heard about it through the membership magazine; plus I looove horses so this would be a great opportunity.
13 September 2011, 7.31pm
My grandmother was a founder
My grandmother was a founder member and later on Patron of the Dumb Friends League, now the Blue Cross which helps injured, lost and abandoned animals, originally mainly horses, on both sides in World War 1 and every conflict since then... I look forward to seeing your exhibition.
16 September 2011, 1.43pm
Delighted with this
Delighted with this exhibition for two very good reasons. I have been a volunteer helper for the RSPCA since the early 1990s and, until recently, my daughter was the puppeteer for the head of Joey, the main story line in the truly superb show, 'War Horse'. Everyone should see 'War Horse', it is an amazing experience. Well done.
18 September 2011, 8.16pm
Flying over from the USA in
Flying over from the USA in Nov. to see "War Horse" and the animal memorial in Hyde Park and am thrilled you'll have this special exhibit at your museum! I do a special program on the battlefield where I work about animals in war, and am always looking forward to learning more to share with my visitors! Thanks!
29 September 2011, 11.06am
Thank you for your comments.
Thank you for your comments. The 'War Horse' exhibition will be open until August 2012 and will certainly acknowledge the contribution to animal welfare of the Blue Cross, RSPCA and other charities.
3 October 2011, 6.37am
Looking forward to the
Looking forward to the exhibition as we saw the first run of War Horse and were truly amazed. We have also heard the story of Three Brothers and Ben, Ben being the farm horse who went to war and was fortunate enough to return (never to work again as the farmer said he had already done enough). Sadly two of the brothers didn't return.
4 October 2011, 9.10am
My father was a Veterinary
My father was a Veterinary Surgeon during the 1914-18 war; he also talked about the wonderful work done by the mules throughout. I hope to get to the exhibition.
6 October 2011, 1.42pm
Today's Daily Mail article on
Today's Daily Mail article on Simon Butler's book The War Horses brings home to us just how tragic the Great War was for the animals involved. I'll definitely be coming to the exhibition.
7 October 2011, 1.56pm
Excited to see that Ali
Excited to see that Ali Bannister (alibannister.com) will have her portrait of the ultimate (fictional) war horse - 'Joey' on display following her work on the film with Speilberg and Michael Morpurgo. Her sketches appear in the movie and she did an excellent job of heading up the equine department. I am hoping that she will have some limited edition prints of this painting available online and/or in the museum shop. I already have one of her drawings and am such a fan - so proud of her achievements.
13 October 2011, 9.57am
Looking forward to seeing the
Looking forward to seeing the exhib in November. Have seen the play 3 times!
13 October 2011, 12.29pm
Am very pleased and my
Am very pleased and my autistic son will be also - he has just finished reading the book as part of his GCSE and loved it! Looking forward to the exhibition :-)
14 October 2011, 3.42pm
I am looking forward to
I am looking forward to seeing the display. My grandfather took his own horse with him when serving in the first world war.
17 October 2011, 8.53am
My grandfather was in the
My grandfather was in the Queens Hussars during WWI and having seen the play will now look forward to the exhibit.
18 October 2011, 6.49pm
So sad. Can't view it now
So sad. Can't view it now only in London for a few days will be back!
18 October 2011, 6.53pm
Read the book, seen the play,
Read the book, seen the play, looking forward to the film, and going to visit the museum. They were all heroes, everyone a legend, makes you feel humble, to what they gave in the war.
Looking forward to my visit to London x
18 October 2011, 7.34pm
Always look forward to a
Always look forward to a visit to the National Army Museum and I certainly shall look forward to a visit to this exhibition when I am in London during remembrance week in November.
19 October 2011, 10.06am
Seen War Horse twice and
Seen War Horse twice and could see it again!! I encourage friends to see it. It is so moving/the bullied boy/the artistic officer/the German trapped in the situation. All able to share their feelings with Joey. Many people have their own brand of Joey now-cat/dog and continue to share their deepest feelings with these animals.
19 October 2011, 10.11am
Saw War Horse last weekend -
Saw War Horse last weekend - loved it! Looking forward to the exhibition. Will be my first time.
19 October 2011, 11.19am
I heard about the exhibition
I heard about the exhibition when Michael Morpurgo was on the radio this a.m. I shall definitely make a visit. I do hope that there will be some reference to The Brooke, the charity founded in 1934 to buy worn out ex-army horses in Egypt and now doing wonderful work for equines in 11 countries.
19 October 2011, 6.45pm
Saw War Horse recently,
Saw War Horse recently, amazing so emotional, can't wait to see the real thing at the museum with my son. Love horses so unjudgemental amazing creatures. Who says dogs are man's best friend? ;o)
21 October 2011, 9.42pm
Going to see the play on
Going to see the play on Tuesday, hope to get time to see the display as well. I still have my medal issued when the IRA injured Sefton.
22 October 2011, 1.15pm
My Dad was in the Cavalry in
My Dad was in the Cavalry in World War !.- 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards. He never mentioned the horses to me, but after he died in 1975 I found a picture, which he had kept in his wallet all those years, of him in uniform age 17yrs on the most beautiful horse. The picture spoke volumes. So glad for Dad's sake, that at last, what the horses did is being recognised. Looking forward to the exhibition.
24 October 2011, 7.40am
My grandfather was in the
My grandfather was in the Royal Horse Artillery in WW1 and received the MM for rescuing horses from no-mans land - incredibly proud of him. I have seen War Horse and read the book - looking forward to coming to this exhibition.
25 October 2011, 1.31pm
I hope to visit the
I hope to visit the exhibition on Saturday 29 Oct. My paternal grandfather was I believe an army vet during WW1. His name was Lt Col G.C.O Fowler. I wonder if you have any record of him? I think he was in Royal Scots Fusiliers. I have a blanket which I often wonder about. It could be a horse blanket?
25 October 2011, 1.56pm
I was taken to see War Horse
I was taken to see War Horse at the theatre as a birthday gift last November, and this year it's a trip to the exhibition. Have you noticed that the media rarely, if ever, mention how much war torn countries rely on animals, especially horses, donkeys & mules? I am a supporter of The Brooke (formerly The Brooke Hospital for Animals) and Treasurer of the Surrey Supporters Group for the past 8 years. The horse is such an intelligent, "feeling" creature, one can only imagine their fear when put to battle, let alone their suffering when left to die - often alone. Read the diary of Mrs Dorothy Brooke, "For Love of Horses" and make sure a box of tissues is to hand.
26 October 2011, 3.44pm
Saw this exhibit today found
Saw this exhibit today found it really interesting. Plus rest of museum is great too.
27 October 2011, 1.47pm
Have just visited the lovely
Have just visited the lovely museum and war horse exhibition which was informative and touching in its portrayal of the war horse. Sadly though no war horse puppets present from the play which was the message i got from recent publicity regarding the exhibition which was one way I got my children inside - so disappointed about that, but all in all a sympathetic exhibition.
31 October 2011, 12.13pm
My husband and I had the
My husband and I had the privilege of attending the play in London on a recent visit to our son and daughter. The relationship between the horses and the men who understood them is beautifully portrayed. The terrible hardships and the suffering of man and beast during the war, further reminds us that the effects of the trauma inflicted during any war remains long after the last battle is fought.
1 November 2011, 9.08pm
The War Horse play is
The War Horse play is unbelievable...I have never applauded so much!! The range of emotions you feel watching the "horse puppets" is amazing...joy, anger and tears of sadness and happiness!! It was as if they were real horses! We have also read the book which is a brilliantly written. Looking forward to visiting the exhibition and the National Army Museum in general. Like many others have commented I also feel very strongly about the use of any animals in a war but particularly horses after watching the play.
2 November 2011, 5.27pm
I thought this was a lovely
I thought this was a lovely exhibition, sensitively presented and very moving, and nicely judged to appeal to children and adults. Definitely recommend it.
9 November 2011, 8.02pm
Hope to visit this exhibition
Hope to visit this exhibition soon. I would like to echo the reference made by other contributors to the work of the 'Brooke' set up specifically to alleviate the suffering of horses sold off at the end of WW1. It remains my hope that visitors will convert their equine interest into support for a charity such as the Brooke which continues to do such great work for suffering equines across the world...
11 November 2011, 4.27pm
My grandfather, Fred, was a
My grandfather, Fred, was a muleteer, he wasn't fit enough to be a fighting soldier! He told tales of taking supplies, drinking water and whisky for the officers up to the front line. He used to take a 'nip' out of each bottle of whisky and then re-cork the bottle. Muleteers took the injured men from the frontlines to the hospital tents and Fred used to pass his hip flask back to the chaps on his wagon. The flask accompanied him throughout the 1914-18 war and then on to firewatching in the 1939-45 war, this time replenished from the bottle kept in the car he chauffeured! I have the flask now and can still see the name 'Nimrod' stamped on it.
4 January 2012, 9.20am
I have written a book about
I have written a book about the Australian war horses: the "walers" that were sent overseas in World War 1. Australian horses took part in the Charge of Beersheba: often called the last great cavalry charge in history. Thousands of horses were sent to France and the Middle East: only one ever returned to Australia. The book is for young adults and will be published by HarperCollins Australia in March 2012, Look for "The Horses Didn't Come Home" !
5 January 2012, 8.31pm
Looking forward to seeing the
Looking forward to seeing the exhibition next week. Have been to France and Belgium visiting WW1 sites and am interested in the war horses particularly.
13 January 2012, 7.08pm
Am going to see this, War
Am going to see this, War Horse, and it's great the display is here and the real story is told about the animals.
xxxx
24 January 2012, 6.02pm
I visited this exhibition two
I visited this exhibition two weeks. It is extremely informative and also very moving. There is no doubt that through the ages horses have suffered terribly in warfare, but the evidence showed what a strong bond also existed between horse and human, and how much the horse was valued. The exhibition is a unique chance to see the Army collection of equine memoribilia, from ink stands made from the hoof of a favourite horse, jackets and helmets worn in the Crimean War to the hair of Wellington's charger. I particularly liked the Blue Cross Guide to horse management issued to gunners in WW1. All the information in this booklet applies today, of course.
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