Horse
The great war is characterised by being a time of great change. While all or most of the powers engaged in the war took advantage of new advances in mechanised warfare, their armies were still largely dependent on horses for mobility and transportation. As the war progressed, the army's need for horses became acute and horses were consequently requisitioned (for a token payment) wherever they could be found and sent to the front. Some draught and heavy horses were exempted because of their importance to agriculture and the well being of the home front. Horses aged between 3 and 12 years were put through a short but intensive period of training by specialist troops called 'Roughriders" before being sent to the front. In 1917 the estimated number of horses employed by the British army was 530,000. With the rate of losses being sustained it was estimated that the army needed to aquire 15,000 horses a month if the requisite number was to be maintained. By the end of hostilities it has been calculated that over half a million horses owned by the British army were killed during the Great War. The Inscription on the Animals in War Memorial in London reminds us: "They had no choice".
Saddle and Saddle Furniture
The British army used what was known as a UP (Universal Pattern) saddle. The UP saddle comprised of a rigid metal saddle tree overlaid with wadding and leather. Attached to the saddle were saddle wallets, spare horseshoe case, sword and scabbard, rifle bucket and rifle, mess tin, hay net, feed bag, groundsheet, greatcoat and picketing stick. The horse also wore a bandolier containing additional spare ammunition around its neck.
1908 Cavalry troopers sabre
At a time where the sabre was becoming an obsolete weapon, the British army developed what is still widely considered to be the most effective cavalry sword ever designed. Essentially a thrusting sword, the 1908 sabre blade was 35 inches (890mm) long which meant that when wielded, it easily matched the reach of a lance. The sabre design incorporated an angled 'pistol grip'. This effectively caused the sabre to become an extension of the trooper's arm, ideal for use in a mounted charge.
When presented with the new design for his approval, King Edward VII described the sabre as "hideous" and took some persuading as to the benefits of the innovations in its' design.
In 1912 an officers version of the sabre was introduced. It was the same as the troopers sabre in every aspect-except for an engraved 'vine' design on the blade and handguard.
When presented with the new design for his approval, King Edward VII described the sabre as "hideous" and took some persuading as to the benefits of the innovations in its' design.
In 1912 an officers version of the sabre was introduced. It was the same as the troopers sabre in every aspect-except for an engraved 'vine' design on the blade and handguard.
Hotchkiss Mk1 Machine Gun
The Hotchkiss Mk1 machine gun was a variant of the Hotchkiss M1909 machine gun designed and developed by the French company Hotchkiss et Cie. The British variant was produced under licence by Enfield and differed from it's french counterpart by being built to use the .303 calibre round. In the British army, the Hotchkiss was issued to cavalry regiments, while the infantry were issued with the Lewis gun. Harold Mugford won his Victoria Cross as the operator of a Hotchkiss Mk1.
