WW1 remount camp prepares for war horse statue
A life-sized statue of a war horse is to be unveiled in July in Romsey, at the site of the World War I remount camp in the Hampshire town.
The statue, by sculptor Amy Goodman, has now been cast in bronze-resin and his handler will be cast shortly.
In World War I there was a massive Remount Camp on Pauncefoot Hill just outside Romsey. In little more than three years, it prepared 120,000 horses and mules for war service.
After the War the Remount Camp was completely demolished and largely forgotten, but hardcore from the camp was used to raise the ground level of the new War Memorial Park in Romsey.
A group of locals decided to commemorate the horses and men who served at the Remount Camp, and commissioned Goodman.
Two horses, named Jimi and Chips, were used as reference models.
In the statue, a trooper with a broken arm is holding out his other arm to his horse. Goodman said she was inspired by Alfred Munnings and Lionel Edwards, who both portrayed Major General Jack Seely and the famous Warrior.
The cost of statue and alterations to the park is about £80,000. Donations and fundraising has brought in about £55,000 so far.
In March 2014, Brough Scott gave a talk at Romsey about the career of his grandfather, General ‘Jack’ Seely, in the Boer War and in World War I.
Look at the horses and men that died in these useless wars,
what a waste of lives. At least someone is remembering them.
Very good job