Last week, I posted a link to my ‘Storymap’ contribution, which was a look at what I consider the most unusual military grave on Dublin, that of the horse Vonolel. On the day I filmed it, I noticed an old copy of ‘The Navy and Army Illustrated’ from 1898 on eBay at a very low price. I couldn’t resist snapping it up. The frontpage below shows Vonolel with ‘The Right Hon. Field-Marshal Lord Robers V.C, K.P etc.’ (phew!) upon him, and there’s a brief feature on Vonolel inside which I’ve scanned up too.
The story of Vonolel’s life, death and burial:
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
The ‘ever-popular’ commander in chief. great follow up.
Lushai chief name Vanhnuailiana
Great find. A horsey man told me he reckons he’s about 14 hands. I’ve no idea how he can tell from a photo but thar ya go.
He was fifteen hands, Roberts himself was only 5 foot 4 inches tall.
He was close and only out by a few inches. I couldn’t see anything about the photo that he could related to in terms of height.
It is such a rare treat to read the period article on Vonolel, as I have prior only seen his picture. I have always wanted to know something more about him. My daughter and I have a senior arab who is 29 and is the spitting image of Vonolel. Our old man has also turned white with age, and is 14 hands, as I have gathered from other sources to be Vonolel’s height as well. Perfect for people of our (and Earl Roberts) size. He doesn’t seem to know he’s old as of yet, and is tough as nails. As the Field Marshal spent a large portion of his life on horseback, it is no wonder he felt a special affection for the beast who saw him through countless tight spots and long marches. I am certain the Earl missed his friend deeply when he passed, as my daughter and I will miss our old man when he goes.