Wigan Album

What a sad story..I wonder if their Betty was spared..it doesn't bear thinking about.

What a unique, fascinating letter. Thanks Keith for putting it on the site.

8 million horses,mules and donkeys died in the 1st WW. They were used to transport ammunition and supplies to the front. Not only did they die from shellfire but in the atrocious weather conditions and the mud.

A heart rendering reminder of the sacrifices that were expected of our four legged friends and as in this case a much loved part of a family. Thanks Keith, and full respect to your Great Uncle.

How touching! I also hope Lord Kitchener reacted favoureably to this and that Betty was allowed to "become a mother" at home in Haigh!

Lathom Park was used as a horse Depot for the First world war and many returned there after the war and sold off
My grandfather was a hostler for the Leeds and Liverpool canal company and they acquired some of the Demobbed horses
My mother often related the difficulties her father had with them. Nervous,shell shocked and traumatised.just like the soldiers who returned

Yes, Betty was saved. Lord Kitchener was suitably moved, and instructed: "No horses under 15 hands shall be requisitioned belonging to the British family Hewlett."

Only mounts that were owned by officers were guaranteed to return to Britain. The fate of the rest of the Army’s horses and mules depended on their age and fitness. The healthiest and youngest animals were brought back to the UK, 25,000 remained in the British army while more than 60,000 were sold to farmers.
Horses and mules in the next class down were auctioned off to farmers on the continent for an average of £37. The oldest and most worn out horses were sent to the knacker’s yard for meat and fetched £19.
8 million horses of all sides died in WW1.