1WW IMPRESSMENT OF HORSES IN HATHERLEIGH

Careful preparations had been made before the First World War in accordance with plans laid down in The War Book to have sufficient horse available when the Army mobilised. Horse owners could sign up to a scheme whereby they received money on condition that they would provide their horse(s) on the outbreak of War. More horses were needed and they were impressed under arrangements made by retired military officers. It is not clear from this picture whether the horses were being taken up or purchased. Within days of the outbreak of war, the military authorities were implementing the law which allowed the requisitioning of horses such as those in this scene at Hatherleigh in August 1914. For those farmers and others who relied upon horses, this was the first major imposition that the War brought on their lives on the Home Front.