Charlie
The Hunter
Charlie belonged to Colonel E.J. Harrison, who was assigned to the 6th Rifle Battalion (the King's Liverpool Regiment). Charlie served throughout the war, from 1915 to 1919, and survived many battles.
Charlie was another horse who handled the shells and the gunfire of war in a very calm manner. He was never wounded but was sent to "sick bay” twice. Once he caught a cold and contracted pneumonia, and a few years later he became so thin and weak from serving at the front that he had to be sent to the hospital to recover.
For some reason that no one could fathom, Charlie did not like the sight of the draft dogs that pulled the equipment. He would become quite unmanageable and would rear and try to bolt. Eventually he tolerated the dogs, but he never liked them and did his best to avoid them. Harrison could not understand Charlie's behavior, because the horse had grown up around dogs and had not minded them at that time. However, Harrison figured out the problem when he noticed that Charlie did not mind the carting dogs when they were not in a cart. Apparently, Charlie was upset with the carts, or with the dogs when they were in harness.
After the war, Charlie was included in reviews and parades. He was always right behind the band, and because he was a favorite of the soldiers, the drummer would hold a piece of sugar in his hand behind his back as a treat for Charlie. Of course, Charlie enjoyed this very much and would toss his head and snort with pleasure. He also had a trick that he liked to do, and, when he was able, he would hit the drum with his nose and bridle, making a big bang.