52266: Photograph of Trophy - Horse Show, France, 1918

The inscription on this trophy reads:-
HORSE SHOW FRANCE 1918
1ST PRIZE
JUMPING OTHER RANKS
CPL J H MARKS
WARWICK BY RHA

James Herbert (Jim) Marks was my grandfather and I inherited this trophy when he died in 1992. He won the event riding his late C/O's horse which was later returned to the owners family in Norfolk. The guns fell silent and what did they do? - hold a horse show!
JHM joined his 4 brothers in the army in 1914 (lying about his age)and all survived. He joined the Warwick Battery RHA a TA unit which immediately went to France and stayed there for the entire duration. He spoke little of his experiences in the war but gained a reputation as a horse breaker.
After the war he married and endured periods of financial uncertainty as did many others. JHM retained his TA status and his equestrian skills and I have the replica of the Earl of Warwick Challenge Cup awarded to Sgt J H Marks in 1926.
In 1939 his was appointed quartermaster to the Warwickshire TA units and continued as such until his retirement in 1964. The same year he was made MBE for services to the army and received a presentation of silverware (which I also have)from the Warwickshire TA and AFC Units in appreciation of his long service.