Only one returned
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340216)
Rockingham, Australia
May 22, 2023 8:12pm CST
During World War I, horses, donkeys and mules played a major part in most areas of war. Between 130,000 and 160,000 horses were went from Australia to serve as mounts for troopers of the Australian Light Horse. The heavier horses hauled heavy artillery and ammunition onto the battlefields.
When the war was over, the powers-that-be decreed that the horses that had served so well could not be returned to Australia. However, the favourite steed of Major General William Bridges was returned and was euthanised in May 1923, a hundred years ago.
Now, he has been immortalised in a bronze statue based on a photo of him. Sandy was donated by the O’Donnell family of Tallangatta in Victoria, and sailed to Egypt with the first convoy of Australian troops.
The photo is of Sandy ready for work.
28 people like this
29 responses
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
23 May 23
A legendary horse in some ways.
It was not fair to refuse return of horses back to Australia.
The number of horses sent to war was staggering.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
24 May 23
@JudyEv
Oh that's very bad.
Killing someone who proved to be a big asset.
May be tbe soldiers had a valid reason, or perhaps they were stone hearted !
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 May 23
To save the horses going to Egyptian owners who were known to be harsh to their animals, many of the soldiers shot their horses, or friends would agree to shoot each other's horses. It was a very sad way for them to end their lives.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47349)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
23 May 23
My father was in the Polish cavalry just before the outbreak of WWII. He didn't talk much about the war but I believe he once said his horse was shot out from under him.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223107)
• Chile
23 May 23
Those horses should have returned. But at least one did.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68100)
• United States
23 May 23
We get the term “horsepower” from trying to compare modern engines to what horses did in the old days. My car is rated at 190 HP, meaning it took 190 horses to do what this car does. That’s how important the horses were in war, and every other facet of life.
Glad Sandy has a statue. Well deserved.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (102927)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
23 May 23
I liked this post of the late horse of Major General William Bridges is now immortalized with a bronze statue of himself after his service during World War I.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35621)
•
27 May 23
I never realized how important a role horses played in WWI until I watched the film "War Horse." A very magnificent animal.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35621)
•
27 May 23
@JudyEv A must see! Very very good and based on a true story 
1 person likes this
@zainkhan121 (859)
• Pakistan
23 May 23
The bronze statue honoring Major General William Bridges' horse, Sandy, is a touching tribute to their bond and the sacrifices made during that time. History reminds us of the profound impact animals have had in times of war.
2 people like this
@silvafres (9)
• Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
24 May 23
beautiful animal, and with a very beautiful story.
this animal accompanied the entire history of mankind and on several continents, I think that without their help we would not have made it this far.
They are still used a lot today, including therapy for children, they are kind and friendly, I really like them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 23
Yes, the horse and other equines have helped man in some many ways and throughout the ages. Welcome to myLot too. I hope you enjoy it here.
@snowy22315 (180839)
• United States
23 May 23
That is interesting. I hope they got nice places to stay after the war, even if it wasn't in their home country.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136541)
• India
24 May 23
I feel sorry for animals that are used for such purposes
1 person likes this
