Boot and Saddle by JG GilberdFamous Horses - Major
In a story such as this some animals achieved a special place. Here are five such horses, three from the Regiment's stables: MAJORMajor was a Boer War veteran, being the only one of over 8,000 horses to return to New Zealand from South Africa. Bred in the Wairarapa he was given by his owner, Lt Col Collins to his son, Lt Collins of the Fourth Mounted Contingent, then in camp at Forbury Park, Dunedin. On Major's arrival at Beira he was ridden 370 miles to Bulawayo and later to Mafeking. He was with Collins at the engagement of Ottershoop where Collins was severely wounded but Major came through the engagement unhurt. While with Collins, Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of British Forces, inspected the unit and admired his mount as a good specimen of horse-breeding. Major passed through many hands during the war, finally becoming Colonel Porter's mount. When the Colonel was appointed to command the NZ Mounted Contingent at Edward VII Coronation, permission was granted to take Major to England. On the Contingent's return to New Zealand, Major travelled home on the SS Papanui in the care of the ship's butcher! After spending three months in quarantine on Somes Island Wellington, he went to Christchurch where he spent his days on a farm. His picture used to hang in the Sergeants' Mess at Addington Barracks. Jim Gilberd, 1989 |
