
Building Recording of Grade II Listed Gravestone for War Horse
In 2022 Wardell Armstrong were asked by Miller Homes to undertake a Building Recording of a Grade II Listed Gravestone on their site in Merseyside: the Gravestone for Blackie – the War Horse. This was followed by the restoration of the gravestone, Interpretation Board, Heritage Statement and archaeological fieldwork on the Site, undertaken by Wardell Armstrong.
Blackie, along with so many other animals, was pulled into the First World War where he served faithfully alongside Lieutenant Leonard Comer Wall in the 275th Brigade until Wall’s death in 1917. Blackie was injured from the shrapnel but survived; the scars of his wounds remaining visible until his death. Despite his wounds he continued to serve the British Army throughout the remaining war effort. It was at Flanders Field where Wall wrote the well-known poem ‘Red Roses’, the final line of which became the motto of the 55th Division and was placed on the graves of the men who died; it is now on the Interpretation Board as a symbol of Blackie’s involvement in the war.
Lieutenant Wall’s will revealed instructions Blackie should be cared for and eventually buried with his masters medals. Wall’s mother bought Blackie from the Army and loaned him to the Territorial Riding School in Liverpool. In 1930 Blackie was pensioned off, retiring to live at the Horse’s Rest in Liverpool; it is believed he became semi-famous and led Liverpool’s May Day Horse Parade alongside another war horse Billy. The news of his death was covered nationally and as per Lieutenant Wall’s wishes Blackie was buried with his medals at the Horse’s rest and the gravestone was re-erected in its restored state.
Residents worked with Miller Homes to improve the site with a new public path to the restored grave and by planting wildflower meadows and native shrubs and trees. The new two-metre-high carved statue (pictured right) was completed by award-winning sculptor Simon O’Rourke and unveiled at a tribute ceremony earlier this month, and the gravestone (main image) remains Grade II status. Two purple poppy wreaths were laid at the statue, sourced from Murphy’s Army Purple Poppy Campaign, ensuring the sacrifices of service animals like Blackie are never forgotten.