Annis and George Bills made their money from the manufacture of inner spring mattresses. They were a married couple with no children and they had a great interest in animal welfare. When they died, they left their estate to fund a humble, yet remarkable community initiative - The Bills Horse Troughs. These were donated by the Bills in memory of the horses that did not return from World War One.
Walers were the type of horse used by light horsemen in the campaign in the Middle East during the First World War. The light horse combined the mobility of cavalry with the fighting skills of infantry. They fought dismounted, with rifles and bayonets. However, sometimes they charged on horseback, notably at Magdhaba and Beersheba. The smallest unit of a light horse regiment was the four-man section: one holding the horses while the other three fought.
The horses were called Walers because, although they came from all parts of Australia, they were originally sold through New South Wales. They were sturdy, hardy horses, able to travel long distances in hot weather with little water.
At the end of the First World War Australians had 13,000 surplus horses which could not be returned home for quarantine reasons. Of these, 11,000 were sold, the majority as remounts for the British Army in India and two thousand were cast for age or infirmity. Only one horse "Sandy", belonging to Major General Sir William Bridges who was killed at Gallipoli, returned home.
Sandy
Major General Sir William Bridges
One of the things that Annis and George thought was important, was to see that when a horse came into town there was somewhere for the horse to have a drink. Hence the Annis and George Bills trough. There was also often a dog bowl attached on the end of them, so dogs had somewhere to drink too.
A local council could apply for a town horse trough, which had a plaque bearing the inscription, "Donated by Annis and George Bills Australia", attached to it. Each trough cost thirteen pounds, with the vast majority being installed in Victoria and NSW between 1930 and 1939. Approximately 700 horse troughs were installed in Australia and about 50 were installed overseas, particularly in England. The troughs were originally made by the Rocla Pipe Company in Hawthorn, Victoria.
This particular Bills Horse Trough here in St Ives was discovered in an overgrown state by members of the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society. A working bee was organised to clean the site allowing visitors the opportunity to experience part of our unique Australian history.
There's another trough in the grounds of Galston High School which is visible from the fence. For more information on the location of existing troughs, click on the following link.....
Bills Horse Trough Locations
Tunbridge Wells - England
** For safety, please do not stop on Mona Vale Rd!!**
FTF Honours
The Bellas - Awesome!!!
Congratulations to Miss Bella for her first FTF while doing the driving. Well done!!
Did you know that NSW has a geocaching association? Geocaching NSW aims to enhance and improve the activity of geocaching and holds regular events where geocachers meet to enjoy their common interests. Visit the association website here.