Edgar Poulter describes trying to persuade an officer to allow a mule to be used to fetch rations for troops in the trenches. He recalls being told by an officer that mules were more valuable than men, as dead men could easily be replaced, but mules were scarce.

'The Irish Brigades In The First World War' was a two part documentary for radio. The programme examined the participation of the Irish Brigades in the Great War using personal accounts of the battles from surviving members.

The documentary was produced by Kieran Sheedy and presented by Tom McGurk. The clip used here was taken from part two and broadcast on 8 December 1974.

The photograph accompanying this clip shows cavalry mounts killed in battle being buried in Belgium, 1914.
 

Courtesy of Library of Congress LC_B2_3249_11

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