Bess story highlight of Anzac legend

IT WAS a commemoration like no other as thousands of people from throughout our region and, indeed, across New Zealand gathered to commemorate Anzac Day and the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

One of the highlights for me was the service for Bess, our best-known war horse, at Parewanui on Forest Road near Bulls. The life and services of Bess are recognised in a private memorial near Bulls that has become a de facto memorial to all of the New Zealand horses that served during World War I.

It is a fascinating story. Bess was one of more than 10,000 horses donated to the government for military purposes after World War I broke out - and one of only four horses who made it back home.

Her real name was Zelma and she was born in Martinborough in 1910 and bred by A D McMaster who donated her to the war effort.

She was allocated to the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment and was selected by Captain C G (Guy) Powles, who renamed her "Bess". She served him throughout the war in Egypt, Sinai, Palestine and France, though they spent most of their time in the desert.

In 1919, Powles and Bess moved to Germany. Then, after being taken to England for the victory celebrations, Bess finally returned home.

A letter dated November 23, 1920, from the General Headquarters of Defence in Wellington to the director of veterinary aervices states: "Four horses ex NZEF were landed in New Zealand from SS 'Westmeath' on 6th June 1920."

An additional note signed by Major E Puttick to the camp commander at Trentham states: "Please inform Lieut Colonel Powles accordingly and hand the mare 'Bess' over to him on 30-10-20."

Bess spent the following years helping Powles perform his duties as commander of the army training camp at Trentham before relocating to Flock House, which was set up as an agricultural training school for the dependants of war veterans. Guy Powles was principal of Flock House from 1930 to 1935.

One day in October 1934, while Colonel Powles was riding his faithful mare, "she suddenly decided to lie down and die there and then".

Powles buried her at this site and erected the memorial cairn in her honour. It is square, topped by a large rock and has two plaques. One lists the countries in which Bess served during and after the war. The other says in Arabic: "In the Name of the Most High God."

It is a fitting tribute to an outstanding horse - one of so many who left these shores to help in the war effort. It is also one of so many fascinating and heartwarming stories that have been shared over recent weeks as we came together to remember on this Anzac Day.