The Story of Songster, an old Loughborough War Horse

Mary Baird, a client of Chesterton House since our early days, was fascinated by the story of Songster. Her interest led to a recent ceremony to install a memorial on the grave of this old Loughborough War Horse….

Bert Main and Harry Poole with the original Songster memorial

Horses at War

If you’re familiar with the famous story ‘War Horse’ by Michael Morpurgo, you’ll know that horses were very much a part of the First World War, which took place at the dawn of the motor age.

In 2011 Stephen Spielberg was launching his highly successful film based on the book, and the story was picked up by the staff of Loughborough’s Carillon Museum. They recognised that the Town had its very own real War Horse in the form of Songster, who had served on the battlefields and was one of 62,000 horses to survive the conflict. About eight million mules and horses died in the war and thousands more were slaughtered at the war’s end, so Songster was one of the lucky ones.

Songster’s Story

Bert and Harry with Songster

Songster was 14 in 1914 so was considered somewhat old and small for a war horse at the time. He was lucky to have been found again in France by his yeomanry rider, Bert Main, and then bought again at auction in London by those who were aware of his strength of character. That he survived so long was down to his ‘indomitable spirit’, the care and love he had, both in France and back again in England, and (says Mary) no doubt a perverse streak that kept him going!

The new replica memorial for Songster

He was brought to West Beacon Farm in Woodhouse Eaves under the charge of ex-squadron Sgt Major Harry Poole, where he became a local celebrity, and went on to live a long and happy life, helped perhaps by the beer that he drank in The Old Boot Hotel in Loughborough!

Songster died in his stable on the farm in 1940. He was buried there with the medal ribbons he had earned. After that his story was forgotten, until the interest in the ‘War Horse’ film rekindled interest in his illustrious life.

Restoring His Memory

Songster’s original grave marker is on display at Loughborough Carillon Museum, but working with the Leicestershire Yeomanry Association and the Museum, Mary arranged for a replica grave marker to be made, had it properly painted and on Sunday, 3rd June, it was placed on Songster’s grave in a ceremony with military participation.

Songster Loughborough’s Own War Horse Book

Bringing Songster’s Story to Life

Mary’s passion for Songster’s story didn’t stop there. Working alongside author Alison Mott and illustrator Liz Waddell, she brought Songster’s story to life in a children’s book — titled Songster: Loughborough’s Own War Horse — following his journey from recruitment to the Yeomanry at the beginning of WW1 right through to the end of his life.

Beautifully illustrated by Liz Waddell, the book is available to buy from the Loughborough Carillon War Museum or from Charnwood Museum, both in Queen’s Park, Loughborough, or you can get a copy from Amazon. We’ve already got our own copy here at Chesterton House, which you’re more than welcome to read on your next visit.

We love hearing what our clients are up to — if you have a story to tell, please do let us know. We’d be delighted to share it.