World War 1 Centenary Resources

At the beginning of the First World War horses were still considered a vital component of the army. Consequently, as soon as the War broke out, the New Zealand Government sent agents throughout the country to find and compulsorily purchase horses deemed suitable for military service overseas. Once bought these horses were then sent by train to Upper Hutt where a Remount Depot had been established. It was here that the initial assessment, processing and training of these horses occurred.

 

The Remount Depot was located near the centre of town in Gibbons Street on land donated by local nurseryman C.A. Gibbons. This property stretched from Main Street all the way down to the Hutt River. This was considered a convenient location, being close to both the Railway Station, where the horses arrived, and the river, where they were watered on a thrice-daily basis. On arrival the horses were given a thorough veterinary inspection and classified as suitable for either pack work, artillery work, or the Mounted Rifles. They were also groomed and branded in line with military regulations and a record was taken of all their details. When they were deemed sufficiently accustomed to military life they were sent on to Trentham  and elsewhere for more specialized training in their role.

 

At its busiest there were around a thousand horses held at the Remount Depot. Given the Depot’s location right in the middle of Upper Hutt, this created what contemporary reports describe as a “lively” atmosphere around town.  There were also up to hundred men stationed there to attend to the horses. These included members of the newly formed New Zealand Veterinary  Corps, who received their own training at the Depot, as well at the Government Animal Laboratory in nearby Wallaceville, before accompanying the horses overseas.

 

Altogether approximately 10,000 horses passed through Upper Hutt before being sent to fight in the War, mainly in the Palestine Campaign. Due to transport shortages and quarantine restrictions most of the horses who survived the War were prevented from coming home after its end, with only four eventually returning to New Zealand.