Machine Gun Corps,Horses.

[Simon Furnell]

Evening all.

After all this time,the above question popped,suddenly,into my head the other day.

My Great grandad,Oscar,has always puzzled me,because he was in the MGC,but he was a Horse Man by trade,having been a Groom from the age of 16 at least,and running the stables of a large house in my village,before he served.

I know from reading his company war diary,that the company posted returns of Riding Horses,and Heavy Draught Horses,everyday.

Riding Horses were his speciality,and i have the photos to prove it,but he worked in a Pub in 1901,and they had Heavy Horses.

I think he just liked Horses.

Is it possible that he served as a Private in the MGC,and was involved in looking after the above animals?

May explain why he survived as long as he did.

All the best.

Simon.

[Paul Reed]

Every MGC Company, and then battalion, would have had a Transport Section. Just like an infantry battalion. They also had a Transport Officer; the author Henry Williamson was one in 1916/17. These men would have looked after the horses and donkeys used by the unit.

[Guest steveb21]

Mate,

There was also a MGC Sqn attached to every Mounted Brigade.

Of cause in the Army because you worked at something and liked doing something dosn't mean the Army will use you in that work.

I have a number of qualified men in civil jobs who joined the Army as pte soldiers and were happy not to do their old civy jobs or didn't cross over till later in the war, these men were in trades like Doctor's, Vet's and Dentist's just to name few.

S.B

[Simon Furnell]

Many thanks for the replies chaps.

I expect Oscar's MIC's may clear up a few of the details.

I recently was given a picture of him in an MGC uniform,with his wife and four kids also in the picture.

First time i had ever seen them all together,and a friend of mine used to live in the house that they were pictured outside of.

Small world,isn't it.

All the best,and many thanks.

Simon.