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Sandon Hall's very own 'War Horse'

13 January 2012

With a great deal of publicity surrounding Steven Spielberg's new film, Sandon Hall can boast a real-life War Horse of its own.

Sandon Hall's very own 'War Horse'

Lord Sandon with Christ Church in 1923

From 1915, Lord Sandon, later the 6th Ear of Harrowby, saw active service on the Western Front along with his horse, Christ Church.

Lord Sandon served in the Royal Field Artillery, responsible for transporting artillery and mortars around the battlefield. This highly hazardous task was made even harder by the often muddy terrain in which guns routinely became stuck. However, according to a letter written by Lord Sandon to The Times in February 1934 shortly after Christ Church's death, while other horses panicked on one occasion when a gun became stuck, his mount, 'was standing very still with head erect and ears cocked, listening to the bullets whining all around him' - apparently unfazed by the chaos. Lord Sandon praised Christ Church for being no pet, but a battle-hardened and trustworthy companion.

During lulls in the fighting, Christ Church would also show a mischievious side, eating any food left lying around or chewing on other riders' stirrups when oats were in short supply. He would also throw Lord Sandon when he least expected it.

Upon his death on December 15 1933, Christ Church's bones were buried in the Park at Sandon. His head, tail and lower legs were preserved so that the family could remember him. His head and tail can be seen by visitors in Sandon's Entrance Hall.