Bess grew up in Martinborough, happy and healthy and surrounded by other horses in grassy paddocks. Things changed for Bess in 1914 when a man named Captain Guy Powles chose her to take him into battle in the Great War.

Bess endured seven weeks on a rolling ship, crammed into stalls with 400 other horses. Her destination was the hot, sandy shores of Egypt, but she was relieved to finally get onto dry land. Her Captain arrived and they were soon deep in training for the Desert fighting they were about to be immersed in.

Battle after battle, Bess and her Captain fought bravely among screaming shells, flying bullets and rattling machine guns, Bess once standing over him for hours when he was hurt.

Their bond was strong, so when orders came through that the soldiers could go home but their mounts couldn’t, Captain Powles did everything to save Bess.

The story of Bess the brave war horse is one of courage and love between a soldier and his horse. Bess has featured in other books, but this version is a sophisticated picture book – with more text than a standard picture book and with lush pictures showing the reality of troop ships, bustling foreign international ports and marching mounted horses kicking up hot sand as they ride into a charge.

The journey man and horse take in this adventure together is beautiful and sad, even though Bess lived to a grand old age back in her paddock.

Author – Susan Brocker

Illustrator – Raymond McGrath

Age – 6+

(Scholastic, War, Animals, Horses, WWII, World War II, Grief, Battle, Partners)