CHAPTER VI 



The Crossing Overseas 



THEY passed out of the gate and away to France in threes. " Eyes 

 right ! " commanded the squadron leader as the files of threes came up 

 to the Commanding Officer, and the man riding the near side horse did as 

 ordered and looked high authority full in the face. The Colonel solemnly 

 acknowledged the tribute of respect for the King's uniform, but his eyes were 

 focussed on the horses, not on the man. For there was being enacted the 

 last scene at the remount depot in England, the depot which has made so much 

 horse history as a receiving and collecting station for all the horses and mules 

 from the scattered training remount depots throughout the United Kingdom. 

 They were the animals destined for their important part in the war zones 

 and they had come in as fit for overseas. Ostensibly they were fit, too, since 

 both in theory and practice there should be unanimity as to what constitutes 

 fitness. That unanimity does not always exist is another story. One can 

 never account altogether for the part human nature, with its weaknesses and 

 vanities, must play. 



You must believe, therefore, that when the files of threes passed by the 

 Colonel and out of the gate to their unknown destiny they were physically 

 fitted for the ordeal of war so far as conscientious horse-masters and veterinary 

 science could make them. Conscience, we may admit, is an elastic thing, 

 and the few may approve, where fitness is concerned, of staring ribs and soft 

 muscle, without being absolutely conscienceless. Honest endeavour and an 

 ever-present thought for the welfare of those who will later make use of the 

 horses and mules, and sometimes, perhaps, depend on their physical condition 

 for the saving of their own lives and the lives of others, have surely been the 

 guiding thought in approving of their final transfer from England to France, 

 and thence to theatres beyond. 



" Fifty light draught horses, twenty-five heavy draught horses, and 

 twenty-five draught mules, all properly branded and shod, sir," says the 

 squadron leader to the Commandant as he introduces his party for embarka- 

 tion. So squadron follows squadron, and, as the files of threes lengthen, they 

 make a long winding column which reaches far out on the way to where the 

 big ships are. It is up to the Commandant now to legislate for the armies 

 overseas. The onus is upon him if unfit animals are sent to those battery 

 commanders, cavalry divisions, horse transport, and ammunition columns 



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