The War Horse: Fact & Fiction exhibition has now closed, but you can still share your views.
Whether you’re a fan of the book, play or film; if you saw the exhibition or if you have a personal connection to the subject matter, we’d love to hear what you have to say.
Feel free to leave a comment below
51 Comments
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Looking forward to seeing the exhib in November. Have seen the play 3 times!
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
I am looking forward to seeing the display. My grandfather took his own horse with him when serving in the first world war.
My grandfather was in the Queens Hussars during WWI and having seen the play will now look forward to the exhibit.
So sad. Can’t view it now only in London for a few days will be back!
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
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.
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.
Saw War Horse last weekend – loved it! Looking forward to the exhibition. Will be my first time.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Saw this exhibit today found it really interesting. Plus rest of museum is great too.
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.
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.
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.
I thought this was a lovely exhibition, sensitively presented and very moving, and nicely judged to appeal to children and adults. Definitely recommend it.
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…
The book G.H.Q published in 1920, written by an officer who served in British General Head Quarters, states that by the Spring of 1919 the British Army had sold out 252,676 horses & mules. 235,715 were for work and 16,961 were for meat. Total realised was £8,493,920. The animals were sold “abroad” which presumably means to the French and Belgians. The British Army kept their animals fit and well, the Germans did not which can be seen as one of the reasons for the defeat of the German Army in 1918.
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.
what is 7th bengal mountain battery?
7th (Bengal) Mountain Battery was an artillery unit trained to operate in mountainous regions.
http://www.nam.ac.uk/microsites/war-horse/explore/roles/carrying/munitions/
I am hoping to go and see the exhibition, and going to see war horse at the theatre – maybe this can be a reminder how much these galant creatures contributed to history.
My grandfather served in and survived the 1st WW. He was sent to cut the wire. My aunt told me that although he obviously hated seeing his friends and comrades fall, he got most upset at seeing the plight of the poor horses. I went to see the play and started crying at the beginning just thinking of my grandfather and all the brave men and their scared and beautiful horses.
I have not seen the exhibition as yet, but was made aware of it by an extensive coverage in yesterday’s Dutch daily paper NRC. It attracted my attention, because, though being Dutch, my grandfather was Major General Sir John Moore, in charge of the vetinarary corps. He played an important role during the 1st World War and has been writing about the exploits of his corps in his book “Army Vetinary Service in War”, London, H.& W.Brown, 20 Fulham Road, S.W.3, 1921. There is a short monography as well “Our servant the horse, an appreciation of the part played by animals during the war 1914- 1918″. During his service he has joined campaigns in a.o. Waziristan, Ondurman, Mafeking. [with the Rhodesian relief force]. I have documents, photos and books in my possession, but I assume you are already aware of much of the above. I would be glad to get in toch with the museum and will certainly come over for a visit.
Yours sincerely, John Carp
My maternal grandfather was in the Royal Dragoons and served in WWI.
Although he never spoke about what he went through, I remember him saying proudly that he had a horse that would “turn on a sixpence”.
Very much looking forward to seeing this at the end of the month when I visit to see the play.
i respect why the victorians made trophies of horse hooves etc, but i find it quite upsetting that these brave heroic animals were dismembered for this purpose and felt i had to express my opinion on this matter. sorry if i offended anyone, in doing so.
Great and interesting exhibition, really enjoyed it.
But…. it would have been nice to see a few full size horse models with fully equipped soildiers of various periods, particularly WW1 and also the differences between Heavy and Light, particularly Charge of the Light & heavy brigades.
It was amazing that so many horses mentioned were so relatively small. We are so used to seeing the great HCR mounts!
All those wonderful noble creatures who did their bit. Some have commented on The Brooke organisation, but so many of these tributes to the War Horse are forgetting to say how many of these courageous former War horses were found by Dorothy Brookes in Egypt, some blind, all starving in the 1930′s, never to see the green pastures of England ever again. It breaks my heart everytime I see the photo of “Old Bill”. If you truly care about horses, please remember the Brooke organisation which still cares for the horses in 3rd world countries.
Sound Great but interested in John Carps information re the above.
John I would like to speak to you about your grandfather, please feel free to leave another message and I’ll check back. I live in the house where your grandfather was born.
Very interesting Museum and the War Horse Exhibition and wire sculpture were really terrific.
was taken by my daughter to see war horse was really moved by it thought it was brilliant went the following to the war exibision a lot of things answered one of my family was killed at yepes in 1916 have seen the film which was good but liked the stage version better
I have a fascinating family history connected to horses and war going back four generations. My Great Grandfather Maj RO Watson DCM. RMC Boer War and WW1, my Grantdfather Lt Col RA Watson DSO, MC and Bar (MID x4). RHA WW1 and WW2, my Father WO1 RF Watson DSM. Parabat WW2, Palestine, Ghurkas Malaya, Rhodesia (Greys Scouts), myself Lt MS Watson GSM Territorial Army Rhodesia (Greys Scouts and RhMP SIB). I am writing a book about my family and their heroics called “Rum Roy” as this was my fathers nickname in Malaya. I am currently completing a further book called ” Grey’s Scouts, Rhodesias’ Horse Soldiers 1890-1980.”
My grandfather’s account of his early days in the 3rd Dragoon Guards describes their ‘taming’ of Canadian remounts. This took place between March and May 1915 in Canterbury.
Love the picture Sally,Margaret told me this morning about the web ,you kept that quite ha ha we still have your no mans land up right here next to us in the computer room Luv to you both Doug & Sylvia
The British think the people are stupid, you decide about Killa Kazi Battle My Grand Father Ghazi Shah Zaman Khan Wardak was the chief of 10,000 Wardak Mujahedeen armed with rifles, sword, Horses, lancers axes and so on the british were only 170 men how do you compare this battle to win by british or Afghan
My Father says The british Artillery 9th Queen Lancer, 14th Bengall regiments Smushed to the ground every thing brithish left in the Battle field only few men escaped to Sherpur contonament which followed by 10,000 Army of Wardak Province sherpure Surounded for many days Know Sherpure is only Brititish Grave Yard
My great grandfather, William Burn, was one of the soldiers injured in the famous battle fought by the 9th Lancers at Killa Kazi in 1879. He was slashed across the cheek with a sabre which then ran down his lance and removed three of the fingers on his right hand. During the battle he was helped by Rev J W Adams who was awarded the Victoria Cross.
I have the inscribed bible that Rev Adams gave to my great grandfather in 1880. Inside the bible William glued a press cutting that reported the battle and the awarding of the medal to the Chaplain, the only chaplain entitled to wear the Victoria Cross. On another page William glued the newspaper report about Rev Adams’ death aged 63 who at the time of his death was the rector of Ashwell and Chaplain in Ordinary to the King. This press cutting also gives a brief outline of the Chaplain’s heroic act but an error in the report, which suggests the VC was won during the Kabul Kandahar March, has been crossed out by William.
William Burn subsequently left the army and returned to his native Whitby, Yorkshire, where he opened a tobacconists shop before becoming the Poor Law Relieving Officer. He lived in Whitby except for a short interlude during WW1 just after the shelling of the town by a German warship when he moved the family to Boulby House, in nearby Aislaby, before returning to Whitby. He died in 1941.
I have various artefacts belonging to William including his army paybook showing a signature everytime he received his pay until the time when his fingers were lost after which he signs with an X.
The Burn family was a notable family in Whitby, having businesses in and around the area and with strong links to other local families including the Puckrins, Lyths, Boulbys and Hesps . Whithin Whitby there is a Burn’s Yard (now designated by the local authority as Burns Yard!) where William’s father and grandfather ran the family business. William spent part of his early life living in 1 East Terrace, with its superb views over the harbour and the Abbey. This house featured in the first advert on the front page of the first edition of the Whitby Gazette.
I would be pleased to correspond with anyone having more information about the Killa Kazi battle or the 9th Lancers.
Sally Hyslop’s ‘War Horse’ painting is so evocative of the pain suffered by horses in WW1 it hurts my heart to look at it. What an amazing representation.
Very sad, we think that we the human race are so clever, but we are just users of other animals on this planet…………