Sandy the War Horse
Only one horse returned from WW1
During WWI Australia sent 136,000 horses overseas to be used by
used by the Australian, British and Indian armed forces. Tragically, only ONE
horse from the 136,000 made it back home to Australian soil. This heroic horse
was Sandy, a Waler who belonged to Major General Sir William Bridges, who was
killed in battle at Gallipoli. And Sandy was born in Tallangatta
(Victoria) not that far from where we live, a horse previously engaged at the
local brick works.
A gentle bay standing 16 hands high, he was the Major’s
favourite charger and it was his dying wish to have his beloved horse returned
home to Australia to enjoy a long and happy retirement.
Locals at Tallangatta decided to recognise this
famous horse and today we attended the unveiling of a statue to commemorate 100
years of the death of Sandy.
