From Spectrum 19 April 2014
Spectrum joins the Birch Hill Ride, to mark the role of horses in our military history. As ANZAC Day approaches and we remember our fallen soldiers, North Canterbury riding enthusiasts have not forgotten our equine allies. Several hundred people rode, walked or climbed aboard covered wagons for the trip to Birch Hill Cemetery where a plaque erected in 1937 pays tribute to the horses killed in the Great War.
Clydesdales representing the Canterbury Clydesdale Club
Sophie Rosanowski getting hay for seating
Malcolm Brady from the Canterbury Branch of the Antique Historical Arms Association
Graeme Barber also from Canterbury Branch of the Antique Historical Arms Association. Their private collections of memorabilia lend an authenticity to such events.
1911 Worseley Siddeley car once owned by Lt Col EB Millton now owned by Leith Newell from Rangiora
Nicci McClintoch riding in pink and two friends from the Okuku Western Riders club
Ella O’Conner, horse "Kiltie", Lachlan O’Connor and Maggie McDermott from the Okuku Pony club
Kate O’Connor, left and Jenny McDermott, right
Kate O’Connor with her children Ella and Lachlan. Lachlan is wearing his great granddad’s medals
Anne Airey riding "Chubby" - poppies made of felt especially for the ride by a local grand ma Nanette Millburn
St Johns Mounted Medic Unit led by Equestrian Leader Corey Milnes and Andrea Reardon
The event organiser, Thereza Rosanowski and her mother Henny Deken
Ten crosses for the 10 men who worked on Birch Hill Station before heading to WW1. Family members represented HB Brittan, H Coombs, MJ Fitzgibbon, JT Ford, M Pavelka, and J Tait. The other 4 men had their crosses carried by RSA members and Sarah Flint
Derrick Millton the great great nephew of Lt Col EB Nillton
The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.
