WW1 soldiers learned ropes on Yorkshire Wolds farms

The lives of farmhands who worked in the Yorkshire Wolds were changed beyond recognition when they enlisted to fight in World War One.

Knowing the army used horse-drawn wagons, Boer War veteran Sir Mark Sykes convinced officers to recruit those who knew how to use the equipment.

Sir Mark, who owned Sledmere House in East Yorkshire, enlisted 1,000 men to the Wagoners' Special Reserve - ensuring those with experience of working with horses put their practical skills to use as soldiers.