Boot and Saddle by JG Gilberd

NZ Military Horsemen

The Army over the years had in its ranks horsemen of high calibre. They were a band of dedicated characters bent on ensuring the Army's mounted men of their day were trained to take a pride in the care and turn-out of their charges.

Stable discipline was a long and arduous business including grooming, watering, feeding and tending to sick animals. Then of course there were stable piquet duties. For some of the not-so-keen mounted soldiers the advent of mechanisation was cause for rejoicing.

In my research and from personal knowledge names of horsemen from the past come to mind. Here are a few - there were many more:-

Lt 'Blazer' Wilson (formerly Riding Master RA).
'Scorcher' Jones RNZA
Johnny Nolan RNZA
'Stump' Perrett NZPS (RSM Mounted Rifle Regiment)
Ken Bishop NZPS (RSM Mounted Rifle Regiment)
SSM Milne NZPS (formerly Scots Greys) (RSM Mounted Rifle Regiment)
Capt. Ken Walker NZSC (Adjutant CYC)
Capt Bill Pollard RNZA
Col. Pat Joyce RNZA
'Haggis' McLean RNZA
Andy Christensen RNZA
Oliver McDonald RNZA
Dick Healey RNZA
Glen Ensor RNZA
'Ginger' Bambridge RNZA
Geo Martin RNZA
Fred Eastgate RNZA
Bdr Alex Tierney RNZA
Geo Salt RNZA
Tommy Mahoney RNZA
Phil George RNZA

From about 1930-39 the Army maintained a Riding School at Trentham as part of the G.H.Q. Training Depot (later Army Schools) where Regulars and Territorials were taught the principles of equitation and horsemastership.

Instructors at the Depot were:

Sgt R.J. Healey
Bdr A.P. Tierney
L Bdr J.G. Gilberd

Earlier equitation was taught at the Alexandra Barracks, Buckle St, Wellington. There were also mule stables for the Pack Battery. Colonel F.B. Symon was involved with the 'screw guns' having served on the N.W. Frontier of India after the Great War. 'Bats' Symon was a famous Gunner and father of Lt Blair Symon RNZA, killed in action while serving with 6 Field Regiment NZA in the desert war.

Jim Gilberd, 1989

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