LEST WE FORGET AT FLEMINGTON Damon Eccles has been bringing his horses, which are usually used primarily for trail riding, to Flemington for the ANZAC Race Day for the last five years. These horses are placid and accustomed to being surrounded by all sorts of people and crowds, making them the perfect ‘models’ for the horses used at war. Aged around 13 to 14 years old, they calmly parade down the straight or wait in the mounting yard during the official ceremony without fuss. “They are kitted out in the traditional military gear, which is army saddles and gun seats – much heavier gear than they are used to – but they are not fussed and just do their job. I also wear the respective military uniform, and it really makes you admire what both the soldier and the horse had to go through at war. It is not very comfortable, especially on a warm day,” said Damon. One of the horses is riderless, with boots placed backwards in the stirrups. This symbolises that a warrior has fallen in battle, and is often the way that ANZAC parades and marches are led. According to the Australian War memorial, it is “an additional symbol of respect and mourning, often for the men of the Light Horse units.” Bernie Dingle and his son Edward curate the Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum in Nar Nar Goon, which supplies the uniforms and horse’s tack that Damon and his horses wear on ANZAC Day. They also donate their time and pieces to Flemington, curating various displays. In 2021 it was a replica of a WW1 Sopwith Camel F.1 single seat fighter biplane in honour of the RAAF’s centenary. This year they are re-creating an Australian WWI and British WWI field kitchen. “It was identified early on how nutritionally deficient the troops were. It was difficult to get food to them due to the terrain and gunfire. To improve this, kitchens were brought closer to the gunfire,” said Edward. “These kitchens were advanced for their age, and had a pressure tank, a fire box and a large oven with a plate on top. It is amazing to think that these cookers managed to make 400 meals in half an hour!” The Dingles appreciate the opportunity to share these artifacts with the VRC members and racing public. “We can’t imagine how bad it was for the soldiers, and for the animals,” said Edward. “The average lifespan of a horse sent to war was about three weeks, before they were sold or shot. We think it is so important that we can recognise the importance of ANZAC Day and pause to acknowledge the sacrifice.”
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