Search found 10 matches

by Centman
Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:06 pm
Forum: Reviews & Commentary
Topic: Elephant Bill
Replies: 0
Views: 2157

Elephant Bill

I felt I had to post a thread about the above named book, as although not equines, it is amazing what animals have been used in Military Service. The author Lt Col J H Williams O.B.E. was an officer in the British Army in Mesopotamia (Iraq) during WWI when he was the transport officer concerned with...
by Centman
Sun Sep 02, 2012 2:18 pm
Forum: Archive
Topic: Spahis, World War One.
Replies: 18
Views: 8899

Re: Spahis, World War One.

If you look at pictures of Morocan horsemen, the ones that do the charge and firing of muzzle loaders for tourists, you will see that it is a traditional North African design, ideal for fighting from.Quick thought, as the Moors came from North Africa and invaded Spain, could this have been the early...
by Centman
Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:51 am
Forum: Public Forum - General Topics
Topic: Rolling Kitchen
Replies: 84
Views: 38399

Re: Rolling Kitchen

I remember seeing a rolling kitchen at a local Military Weekend at the South Devon Railway (Steam) some years ago, I was told it was either German or Austrian, I will find out from our local Military Historical Vehicle Group, who it belongs to and get some pics, I know it was capable of being pulled...
by Centman
Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:53 am
Forum: Archive
Topic: Battlefield Horse Carcasses
Replies: 70
Views: 21517

Re: Battlefield Horse Carcasses

Anyhow, we we're talking about the French example, is this in relation to WWI or to peacetime conditions? Probably the most common battlefield solution is the one shown in the photo immediately above in this thread. Dig a hole, and drag them in. It was a WWI facility, specifically set up to deal wi...
by Centman
Mon Aug 27, 2012 11:02 am
Forum: Archive
Topic: Battlefield Horse Carcasses
Replies: 70
Views: 21517

Re: Battlefield Horse Carcasses

British Army Farriers were tasked with cutting off the front hooves as that had the Regtl Initials on one and the horses number on the other, you wouldnt get a replacement mount without a set of hooves to prove the horse was dead. The Farriers still carry the ceremonial axe on the Trooping of The Co...
by Centman
Sun Aug 26, 2012 1:54 am
Forum: Reviews & Commentary
Topic: The Last Englishman
Replies: 3
Views: 3091

The Last Englishman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Wintle If you get a chance you will find this a most informative and entertaining account of a "Most Remarkable Man" Although now out of print, there are some copies on secondhand book sites. There was also a BBC play, starring Jim Broadbent ( a very acc...
by Centman
Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:56 pm
Forum: Reviews & Commentary
Topic: War Horse
Replies: 61
Views: 33062

Re: War Horse

Well, yes. The ploughing sequence as a whole was just silly, although it was necessary for the story line. How about the part where he puts the collar on himself in order to show the horse that is is safe? I was unaware of that raining technique. Still a good movie, though. Many of the scenes were ...
by Centman
Fri Aug 10, 2012 1:25 pm
Forum: Reviews & Commentary
Topic: War Horse
Replies: 61
Views: 33062

Re: War Horse

On the uniform details of the film, I have a question for our knowledgeable British participants. In the practice charge taking place in the UK in 1914, the cavalrymen turn out in a blue uniform. They were earlier shown wearing their "khaki" uniform, so we presume they're turned out in a ...
by Centman
Wed Aug 08, 2012 4:25 pm
Forum: Archive
Topic: Horses in support roles, WWII
Replies: 33
Views: 9240

Re: Horses in support roles, WWII

British wheelwrights stopped fitting strakes to wheels in the early 1800's, a great book and source for this is "The Wheelwrights Shop" by George Sturt, who grew up in, and eventually ran the family wheelwrighting shop in Fanham Surrey, just down the road from Aldershot the home of the Bri...
by Centman
Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:57 am
Forum: Archive
Topic: Horses in support roles, WWII
Replies: 33
Views: 9240

Re: Horses in support roles, WWII

I have a cracking book, "Fall out the Officers", by Spike Mayes who joined the 1st Royal Dragoons (The Royals) oldest Cavalry Regt in the British Army, originally called The Tangier Horse, now amalgamated with The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) to form The Blues and Royals one of the House...