It was a number not dissimilar to the number of men who went but never returned.
Yet in a war that was fought – on both sides – by men who had been sent by other men, the fate of those horses now seems a poignant story of the costs of conflict.
It was a story in a Devon pub told by a veteran of the so-called Great War which prompted Michael Morpurgo to write War Horse, a 1982 book released to little fanfare and which garnered few sales.
It was only when the tale of Joey, the eponymous hero, and his journey with farm lad Albert Narracott, was turned into a theatre show that it began to gain traction. It became the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, winning more than 25 major awards, and has been seen by more than 8.3 million people worldwide.
This story is from the November 28, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 28, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT SO FAR?
ERIC MORECAMBE would often slip his glasses to the side of his head as he merrily slapped the face of his comedy partner Ernie Wise on both cheeks before turning and walking away.
Early bloomers
Lift your spirits after the hard winter with colourful harbingers of springtime
Argyle's woes deepen after QPR defeat
MIRON Muslic's first week as Plymouth Argyle head coach ended with a 1-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers at Home Park as his task to try to lead his new club to Championship survival became even harder.
Services can't turn pressure into points
DEVONPORT Services failed to turn pressure into points against Luctonians - and it cost them another defeat in National Two West.
Council grant up but £31m extra in welfare costs
CHILDREN'S SERVICES, ADULT SOCIAL CARE AND PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS COST MORE
Value unit remit vaguely defined
The Government's value for money advice unit is understaffed and poorly defined, according to the head of a cross-party group of MPs.
Pardon for Marcus Garvey
UNITED STATES President Joe Biden has posthumously pardoned black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X and other civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s.
Tributes paid to 'heart of family' charity worker
NIKKI PASSED AWAY DUE TO POST-OPERATION ISSUES
Govt 'prepared' as Trump tariffs loom
THE Government \"has prepared for all scenarios\", a Cabinet minister has said, as questions about President-elect Donald Trump's tariffs loom large ahead of the inauguration today.
Three hostages freed
THE last British hostage in Gaza has been released by Hamas, after more than 15 months of captivity, in what was described as \"ongoing torture\" for her family.
