Chapter 22: 'C' BATTERY'S HORSE SURPLUS

By early summer 1919, the men with longest service and then the horses began to leave us, the men for demobilization in Britain and the horses to be sent to Paris, to be auctioned off. Later I learned that the French understandably, were buying them for slaughter, as there was a great meat shortage.

When we received orders to ship out eight or sixteen horses each week to Paris the first sent were the thirty German horses. The sale of horses each week went on until officially we had only one horse left to haul the mess cart and collect rations and mail. "C" Battery was however different as we still had excess horses on site that Head Command did not know about. Of course we help back the choicest steeds, thoroughbreds or hunters. We made excellent use of these horses as we staged a series of flat races and point to point races over trenches and hurdles we put up. The General in command of the Division came to one of these events and congratulated me on my initiative to maintain high morale amongst those waiting for demobilization. He borrowed four or five horses to ride during his inspections and farewells of troops now heading for home.

The beginning of July 1919, I went on a seven days' leave to Scotland. During my absence it was finally discovered that "C" Division was thirty horses over. I returned from leave to find myself in a very hot water. A Court of Inquiry was held where we produced some good photos of the General and his staff, well mounted on these horses which didn't exist. Nobody had stolen anything and there was no indication that we had been attempting to steal the horses as they were still there. The upshot was, - Not Guilty - but don't do it again!