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In 1914, the Sussex and Surrey countryside was emptied of shire horses and riding ponies as families saw their finest and most beloved animals requisitioned by the government. As World War One raged, many farmers and traders had to find alternative ‘beasts of burden’.

In Outwood, Indian elephants from Lord John Sanger’s circus were put to work and dutifully lumbered along.

Their tasks were important – from ploughing the land to moving machinery – jobs previously done by horses taken off to the frontlines of War.

It’s hard to believe now that whilst over a million horses and mules were at war the gap at home was temporarily filled by circus animals.

Location: Burstow Farm Lodge, Outwood, Surrey RH1 5QZ
Historic image courtesy of Getty Images
Presented by bionic vet; Noel Fitzpatrick