Dorothy Brooke

Dorothy Gibson-Craig was born in Melrose, Scotland on 1 June 1883 into a family that had been part of the Scottish aristocracy for centuries. Dorothy spent her childhood in a peaceful idyll in Scotland and later in Wiltshire and Hampshire.

Dorothy had loved horses since childhood and was an accomplished horsewoman. The defining moment in Dorothy's life came when she arrived in Cairo, the newly married wife of British cavalry officer Brigadier Geoffrey Brooke, in October 1930. From this moment her life became dedicated to the welfare of working horses and donkeys and, despite many obstacles and objections, her determination to make a difference ensured that the original Old War Horse Memorial Hospital was founded in 1934.

Read Dorothy Brooke's letter to the Morning Post.

Dorothy continued to work for her charity until her death on 10 June 1955. She was buried in her adopted home of Cairo, but the strong family association that founded the Brooke still continues today. Family members are still involved with the charity, ensuring that the spirit of Dorothy Brooke lives on.

For Love of Horses

Dorothy Brooke wrote diaries throughout her time in Egypt. They chart Dorothy's dedication and determination to set up the hospital.

In 2014, to mark Brooke's 80th Anniversary, we reprinted Dorothy's edited diaries, For Love of Horses with new photos and material about our work today.

A copy of the book is available to buy on Kindle.