The Horse Called “Paeroa” –World War One Story

On August 12, 1914 a start was made by the children of the Paeroa School to raise money to buy a horse for use in the conflict and the target was estimated to be $18 . Five days later the children, with the help of teacher Miss Minnie Shaw, had raised the sum of $26 – a princely sum for those days. The amount was made up by the children donating their pocket money and selling rosettes, ferns, buttonholes and a sought after pet – goldfish. The horse was named ‘Paeroa’ and was presented to the Officer in Charge, Hauraki Company, Major Stuckey who was soon to leave with the Expeditionary Force. It was not long before Major D. Dunlop stationed in Paeroa recieved a letter back from Major Stuckey. It said:

“Would you please convey to the children, our heartiest thanks from us all in the 6th Hauraki Company for their generosity in purchasing our horse named ‘Paeroa’.

The Company gave three hearty cheers when they heard of the children’s generous efforts. ‘Paeroa’ I am afraid will have a heavy weight to carry but I will do my best to bring him back in good fettle. I will send back to the school one of his shoes if he is fortunate to tread on enemy soil. We are all going to do our utmost to be the best Company in the battalion. I will try from time to time to let you know how ‘Paeroa’ and the Company are getting on.”

Later the school received a large photograph of ‘Paeroa’ and the accompanying letter to the children said, “Not only is he a fine animal but Paeroa is the best horse in camp. He is being looked after and groomed by Private E. Edmond also from Paeroa.”

Major Stuckey rode ‘Paeroa’ in Egypt and in France. It was while serving in France the Major was killed in action. Then it was the turn of Captain Edwin Edwards of the Transport Division to become the rider of ‘Paeroa’.

Later ‘Paeroa’ like so many of the horses On Active Service was killed.

The promised horseshoe belonging to ‘Paeroa’ was sent back to the children and was for many years kept on display in the Paeroa School. It was later donated to the Paeroa Museum where it remains to this day.

* Thanks to Colin Townsend for this story which appears in his book “The Way It Was – Stories from New Zealand”