Merseyside’s real-life warhorse is honoured

A memorial to a Merseyside war hero has been unveiled in Halewood after a ceremony attended by the mayor of Knowsley, a Game of Thrones artist and representatives from the British Legion and the Royal Artillery Association in Aigburth. The new sculpture is dedicated to Blackie, the war horse who served in the First World War and was involved in the battles of Arras, Somme, Ypres and Cambrai and served with 275 Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

Blackie is believed to have been born around 1905 and was based and trained in Spekeland Street, Liverpool, before moving to France with the Division in September 1915. Blackie served in the army for a number of years, but a large part of him. career was spent alongside his master, Lieutenant Leonard Comer Wall.

In June 1917, a week after his promotion to lieutenant, Wall was killed in action after being hit by shrapnel from an exploding shell – he was only 20 and engaged to be married. Blackie was also hit and badly injured, but survived the blast.

In his will, Lt Wall left £180 dedicated to the care of his faithful horse, and the money was also used to repatriate him back to the UK. Blackie was eventually retired and retired in 1930 to ‘Horses’ Rest’ on the Higher Road in Halewood. The marks of his shrapnel wounds were clearly visible until his death at the age of 37 in December 1942.

Blackie was buried in the north-west corner of the west field fronting Higher Road with his master’s medals and a headstone erected. The tombstone has been cleaned in recent years, making the inscription legible again. Following the approval of a Miller Homes housing estate next to Blackie’s headstone, plans were submitted to Knowsley Council, which approved a proposal for a piece of public art to commemorate the war horse.

After a thorough search, Miller Homes hired a world-renowned artist, Simon O’Rourke, who specializes in wood carving. Simon has previously created high-profile art pieces around the world, including a piece for the TV drama Game of Thrones. Simon was commissioned by Miller Homes to create an imaginative tribute to the war horse Blackie and something to signify the important service and sacrifice of horses in wartime.

The sculpture was three months in the making and depicts the head and bust of a black horse with hills and purple poppies, located approximately eight meters from Blackie’s Grade II listed gravestone, which is enclosed by two hedges on Baileys Lane in Halewood.

The unveiling ceremony took place last week on Tuesday 9th July and was attended by a number of notable figures including Mayor of Knowsley Ken McGlashan, local historian Heather Charles, artist Simon O’Rourke and a representative from Miller Homes. Fittingly, the occasion was also attended by military veterans from the British Legion and the Royal Artillery Association of Aigburth.

To honor Blackie and other service animals, two purple poppy wreaths were laid at the statue, which is surrounded by a wildflower meadow. The wreaths were obtained from Murphy’s Army Purple Poppy Campaign, an organization dedicated to recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of service animals, ensuring they are not forgotten.

The new sculpture is now open to the public, providing a place for reflection and remembrance.