Hyde Park Bombing Trough - Albert Gate, Hyde Park, London, UK
N 51° 30.184 W 000° 09.513
30U E 697201 N 5709598
On the east side of the Albert Gate entrance to Hyde Park is a cattle trough. This one is like the myriad of others in London until the plaque, on its southern end, is read.
Waymark Code: WMHT3M
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/11/2013
Views: 4
The plaque, that is attached to the end of the cattle
trough, reads:
This trough was donated to the
City of London in 1892. In 1985
it was removed from Victoria
Embankment, near Temple
Precincts, and presented to the
Household Cavalry Regiment in
memory of the horses killed
and injured in the terrorist
bombing at Hyde Park.
The
BBC website tells of the bombings in a report dated 20th July 1982:
1982: IRA bombs cause carnage in
London
Eight soldiers on ceremonial duty have been killed in two IRA bomb blasts in
central London.
The first blast, in Hyde Park, killed two soldiers and injured 23 others and
the second explosion, in Regents Park, less than two hours later killed six
soldiers instantly and injured a further 24 people.
The IRA admitted carrying out the attacks in a statement echoing Margaret
Thatcher's declaration of war on Argentina over the disputed Falklands.
It repeated her phrase about the right of self-determination and continued:
"The Irish people have sovereign and national rights which no task or
occupational force can put down."
In the first incident a nail bomb in a blue Austin car was detonated as
members of the Household Cavalry made their way to the changing of the guard
from their barracks in Knightsbridge.
Seven horses were killed or so badly maimed they had to be destroyed.
Second attack
Another device exploded underneath the bandstand in Regents Park as the
Royal Green Jackets played music from Oliver to 120 spectators.
It was the first of a season of lunchtime concerts for tourists and nearby
office workers, four of whom were amongst the injured.
Anti-terrorist experts believe the second bomb had been planted some time
ago and was triggered by a timer.
But they think the first explosion was operated by remote control to cause
the maximum devastation.
Bystanders and people in neighbouring shops and hotels rushed to help, but
the police were keen to clear the area as they searched for further devices.
Most of the injured were treated in Westminster Hospital as striking
hospital workers called off their action to deal with the casualties.
Detectives from the anti-terrorism squad were interviewing survivors and
witnesses and security has been stepped up across the British capital.
The British and Irish prime ministers have condemned the attacks as "callous
and cowardly crimes" and "inhuman acts".
Police say MPs were warned of a renewed IRA bombing campaign two weeks ago
after an eight month lull in their activities.
The
Horse Show Central website tells us more:
A peaceful sunny summer s day in
London. The troop of Queen Elizabeth II s Household Cavalry Guard make their
routine way along the South Carriageway at Hyde Park to the Changing of the
Guard at Whitehall. Sixteen black glossy horses step proudly, burnished
regalia glinting in the sunlight, spurs and bits jingling. Awed tourists
look on in delight.
Then a ball of flame, an earth trembling blast. Torn and bleeding pieces of
human and horse splatter the pavement. The sickening smell of scorched flesh
taints the warm air. Fallen horses lay gasping in the street. The victims of
a car bomb claimed as a success by the IRA.
With an incomprehensible deliberation, 25 pounds of gelignite had been
packed around with six inch and four inch nails and placed in an ordinary
car. As the middle of the proud ceremonial column leveled with the vehicle,
the explosion was detonated by cowardly remote control.
It was 20th July 1982. 10:40 a.m. Seven horses were killed. Eight seriously
injured. Sefton suffered multiple deep wounds to his neck from pieces of car
metal, one 2 x 1 shred severed his jugular vein. Five four inch nails were
implanted to half their length into his face, one spiked his back. His
stifle and flanks were gored by searing shrapnel from the car. His right eye
was burned and the cornea damaged. His rider, Trooper Pederson, injured too
by the flying nails, when ordered to dismount, stood dazed, holding the
valiant horse.
With a shirt stuffed into his blood-pumping jugular, Sefton was slowly led
away to the rescue horsebox that took him to veterinary help. It took hours
of surgery to remove shrapnel and nails and mend the 38 different wounds,
and Sefton was given only a 50-50 chance of surviving the shock and loss of
blood. His nurse throughout recuperation said he had much common sense and
knew exactly what was wanted of him in the stable and out. He took
everything in his stride Ooh, he was cheeky though! You should have seen the
nips he took at me. All in fun, of course!
Born in Ireland, Sefton joined the Army in 1967. He was 16hh and spent the
early years of his army career as a school horse, teaching new recruits to
ride. Barracked in London and Germany, he often went hunting and show
jumping. Though a schoolmaster with a wicked sense of humor, he was a good
reliable ride and the favored mount of many a trooper. But he must have been
marked out as exceptional from the beginning because, in 1975, despite
having socks and a blaze, he found his way into the Household Cavalry
Mounted Regiment, which normally recruited only totally black horses. Then,
that tragic day, his story became the focus of the nation s pride and
concern: messages, tributes, and tidbits (especially mints) arrived by the
wagon load at Knightsbridge Barracks; donations to the value of 100,000 were
received. A fund was established which raised 300,000 towards the
construction of the Sefton Surgical Wing at the Royal Veterinary College,
which was later opened by Princess Anne.
Sefton returned to his duties and with the courage befitting a cavalry
horse, making no fuss about passing the spot where he had been so badly
injured and traumatized. The Household Cavalry recorded that he was a horse
of great courage and character. Trooper Pederson reported that Sefton
responded so bravely when the bomb exploded that there was no chance of
being thrown from him. Sefton was made Horse of the Year and, with Trooper
Pederson, paraded on each day at England s prestigious Horse of the Year
Show. Later commentator and tv presenter, Dorian Williams said: I cannot
recall any horse stimulating the spontaneous reaction that Sefton did when
he suddenly appeared in the spotlights at the entrance to the arena. The
audience literally rose to him and the cheering increased in a mighty
crescendo through all his progress to the arena. Pride, relief, admiration
were all mingled to provide one of the most moving experiences in the whole
34 years of the Horse of the Year Show, which has probably seen many
dramatic and exciting moments. That entry of Sefton s will certainly be
recalled forever as one of the highlights of this great Show. The duo also
appeared on many BBC television programs.
On 29th August 1984, Sefton was pensioned off from the Household Cavalry and
sent to live out his life in peace at the Home of Rest for Horses where for
ten years he was the favorite of the staff and visiting public, but
typically he would not hesitate to make it clear when he needed peace. He
retained a dislike of abrupt girthing, chastising with a quick nip, but was
generally an affectionate softy who loved to muddy his fine black coat and,
in bad weather, would call from the gate to be brought in.
A monument to the tragedy that killed 11 people and seven horses, injured
Sefton and eight of his stablemates, was erected on the spot and daily the
troop honors it with an eyes left and salute with drawn swords.
At the magnificent old age of 30, on 9th July 1993, Sefton eventually passed
on. His marble headstone overlooks the fields at the Defence Animal Centre,
in the aptly named Remount Road at Melton Mowbray.
How mind numbing it is to think that so long after the use of horses in
warfare, these magnificent animals could be so massacred in their ceremonial
daily routine. I have written several times for this column of the noble
horses of ancient war, but who would believe that such a story would be
possible in modern times.
Type of Historic Marker: Plaque
Age/Event Date: 07/20/1982
Related Website: [Web Link]
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Historical Marker Issuing Authority: Not listed
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