| Accession Number | C01715 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Glass original half plate negative |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | At sea |
| Date made | October-November 1914 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
A soldier waters the horses on board the troopship HMAT Wiltshire, which was en route to ...
Description
A soldier waters the horses on board the troopship HMAT Wiltshire, which was en route to Alexandria. During the six week voyage of the first Australian contingent, 224 horses died from a total of 7843; this remarkably low rate of loss (3 per cent, against expectations of 15 to 20 per cent) was the result of the high standard of care. Measures taken included cleaning the decks, securing the stalls, ensuring a flow of fresh air into the horse decks, and massaging the animals.