Horses pulling a wagon loaded with timber, 1916 (c)

Photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1916 (c).

During the war thousands of horses, mules and donkeys served with British forces on the Western Front. They were used to carry supplies and ammunition, transport the wounded and pull guns. Thousands of animals were killed or wounded, while others succumbed to fatigue and disease.

From an album of 284 photographs compiled by Second Lieutenant R T Cooper, 16th Bn Middlesex Regiment, 1914-1916, 10th Cadet Bn and 16th Bn Hampshire Regiment, 1916, Royal Engineers, 1916-1919.