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WW1 war horse from Leicestershire remembered WW1 war horse from Leicestershire remembered
(1 day later)
A Leicestershire regiment's horse, which served in World War One and is believed to have died at the age of 40 in 1940, has been remembered.A Leicestershire regiment's horse, which served in World War One and is believed to have died at the age of 40 in 1940, has been remembered.
In 1914, Songster was drafted into the Leicestershire Yeomanry, which was sent to France at the start of the war.In 1914, Songster was drafted into the Leicestershire Yeomanry, which was sent to France at the start of the war.
The war horse, who returned home in 1919, became a local celebrity and was cared for by Sgt Major Harry Poole on his farm in Woodhouse Eaves.The war horse, who returned home in 1919, became a local celebrity and was cared for by Sgt Major Harry Poole on his farm in Woodhouse Eaves.
About eight million mules and horses were killed in the conflict.About eight million mules and horses were killed in the conflict.
Songster, who was mostly ridden by Trooper Bert Main, of Loughborough, during the war, collapsed near the Leicestershire farm and later died in his stable.Songster, who was mostly ridden by Trooper Bert Main, of Loughborough, during the war, collapsed near the Leicestershire farm and later died in his stable.
The 40-year-old war horse was buried at the farm with the medal ribbons he had earned.The 40-year-old war horse was buried at the farm with the medal ribbons he had earned.
Mr Poole's nephew John Paul, from Shepshed, described Songster as "artful as a barrel load of monkey's because he was so crafty". Mr Poole's nephew John Poole, from Shepshed, described Songster as "artful as a barrel load of monkey's because he was so crafty".
"He knew the trumpet calls when he was in France," he said."He knew the trumpet calls when he was in France," he said.
"When they sounded the one for horses for water, off he'd trot to get some water and then he'd come back all on his own and stand there waiting for his nose bag."When they sounded the one for horses for water, off he'd trot to get some water and then he'd come back all on his own and stand there waiting for his nose bag.
"He got an uncanny knack that he could untie himself from his peg, wander off and then come back when he wanted to.""He got an uncanny knack that he could untie himself from his peg, wander off and then come back when he wanted to."
There is an archive on Songster at the War Memorial Museum in Loughborough.There is an archive on Songster at the War Memorial Museum in Loughborough.