By Elaine Brogan OAM
My interest in Sandy came about after a cruise on the Maribyrnong River, west of Melbourne back in 1986. Captain Peter Somerville OAM told me the story about the WW1 Remount depot, in West Maribyrnong. He shared his passion for our Australian heritage with me. Since then, I have read countless soldier’s diaries, many publications, and have gathered over the years a mountain of historical information.
Having a grandfather who served on the Western Front and my father who was a Lighthorseman (later his unit become an armoured one), I knew some of the stories of the horses. I grew up in East Gippsland on a farm around horses. My late father was a wonderful horseman and the locals actually referred to him as a gentleman who had a natural love and affiliation with animals.
I have always been concerned for the welfare of our animals and Sandy’s was a story that I wanted to tell. I wanted to be their voice.
For many years I have researched and found information about Sandy. How his body was destroyed when the taxidermist was employed to remove his head (exhibited at the Australian War Memorial) and his hooves (distributed as exhibits elsewhere). How the remnants of his body were left buried in the grounds of the remount site. Mr Maurice (now deceased) had lived with his family on the site and had shown me where he thought Sandy’s mortal remains were buried. His son drew a mud map and described how Sandy’s grave had had a fence erected around it by some of the Lighthorsemen who worked at the depot. It was done out of respect to this horse, who represented all the other horses that never came home.
My book, Minus His Head and Hooves is written with passion and love. My story tells of the horrendous conditions the horses spent during the years of conflict. I wanted to be the voice for the animals.
Minus his Head and Hooves tells the tragic story of the animals of war, of the horrific conditions and the manner in which horses, camels, mules and donkeys endured (not forgetting the dogs and pigeons that also supported the war effort). The brave animals of war need to have their story told. I hope this story is a valuable read as to how they played a very important part in the logistics of war. Some endured the hellhole of Gallipoli, many the Turkish invasion of Egypt, and then achieved great victories in the Sinai, Palestine and Syria (including the last great cavalry charge in our military history, the taking of Beersheba in 1917). Not to forget the horses that supported the horrific battles on the Western Front either.
So came about this publication, my book, which was proudly launched on Saturday 20th May 2023 during the ceremonies at Tallangatta for the unveiling of the statue of Sandy. I had the honour to help unveil it.
It is a century since Sandy was put down in 1923 (due to his old age and debilitation) in the heritage-listed Fisher Brothers stables on Remount Hill, West Maribyrnong.
I feel that I have written with inspiration and compassion. My book portrays the events from the only point of view that really matters: that of the horses.
Editor’s note: The first print run of the book sold out after the Tallangatta statue unveiling (more information on that here). A second print run is being ordered.