Joey (War Horse)
Joey is the narrator and hero of the novel. He is a beautiful red bay with a white star on his forehead and four equal-length white socks. He is purchased as a young horse by a farmer and quickly develops an incredibly deep bond with the farmer's son, Albert. Joey is a hard worker who learns quickly and has a good grasp of what is required from him. He is courageous, determined, loyal, and brave. Moreover, he warms quickly to people when shown even the smallest amount of kindness. Joey is very adaptable and deals well with each different situation that faces him; as a War Horse, he is at his happiest when he and his best friend, Topthorn, pull ambulance carts, as it reminds him of his life with Albert on the farm. He never stops loving Albert and believes wholeheartedly in their eventual reunion.
Albert Narracott
Albert is a gentle young man who bonds immediately and deeply with his horse, Joey. He is a hard worker and put many hours into Joey's training, placing Joey's needs squarely ahead of his own. Although too young to join the Army when Joey is sold, Albert determines to become a soldier just so he can find Joey and bring him home safely. He believes in their bond and in their ability to endure together. In terms of family life, Albert is bullied by his father, whom he dislikes, and he is frustrated by his mother, who will not stand up to his father. Albert is a sensitive, quietly courageous young man who returns to his village as a hero.
Albert's Mother
Albert's mother supplies the quiet strength that underpins the Narracott family, but her hands are tied by the rules and traditions of the time that prevented a woman from overriding the sway of her husband. Her work ethic is deeply ingrained and she is matter-of-fact in most situations. She is very demonstrative in her love for Albert and is clearly a loving, encouraging, and protective mother.
Albert's Father
Albert's father is a bully of a man with no time for empathy or sentiment. He expresses himself with his fists and is proud and competitive, only acquiring Joey in the first place because he does not want to lose an auction to a neighbor whom he particularly dislikes. Nonetheless, his bluster does hide love for his family; he is a changed man after selling Joey to the Army, becoming more gentle and less prone to bad temper.
Old Zoey
Zoey is a sweet older farm horse who takes Joey under her wing and helps him to learn the skills necessary for success as a farm horse. She is placid, obedient, and very much trusted. She and Joey have a close, almost mother/son type of bond.
Captain Nicholls
Captain Nicholls purchases Joey for himself from Albert's father. He captains a mounted regiment and is a strong leader; he loves his horses and protects Joey, making sure that this prized horse receives extra rations and the best treatment available. Although he instills confidence in his men, Captain Nicholls is in fact scared on account of the battles to come, and he confides in Joey his feelings about the futility of war. A man of his word, he sketches and paints Joey's portrait to send to Albert, making good on his promise to let him know how Joey is doing. Captain Nicholls is killed in an early battle and dies a hero.
Corporal Samuel Perkins
Corporal Perkins is an ex-jockey and a small, wiry little man who seems to treat the horses harshly to make up for his own lack of stature and feelings of powerlessness. He becomes less rough with Joey after Captain Nicholls rebukes him.
Topthorn
Topthorn is a beautiful and imposing black horse who rides alongside Joey at the front of the cavalry. He is Joey's best friend and constant support, almost dying due to illness but fighting his way back. Tragically, he does not survive the war.
Trooper Warren
Trooper Warren is the soldier who rides Joey after the death of Captain Nicholls. He likes to read Joey his letters from home. He is an inexperienced rider who rocks in the saddle, but what he lacks in horsemanship he makes up for in the love and the attention he gives Joey, whom he adores. He is a fearful, gentle young man who is not cut out for battle and is captured by the German army after an attack.
Emilie
Emilie is a little girl who lives with her Grandfather on a farm in France; this farm is taken over by the German army as a base camp. She is tiny and frail, having been very ill, but she is cheered enormously by the arrival of Joey and Topthorn. Despite her small size, she is confident around such large animals and is chatty and talkative with them. Her kindness keeps the horses in good spirits. When the two treasured animals are called upon to leave for battle, Emilie's condition deteriorates and she passes away.
Friedrich
Crazy Old Friedrich is so called by the German soldiers because he talks to himself, but he tells Joey that he talks to himself because nobody else understands him. He feels that he is the only sane person in the platoon because he does not want to be at war. Friedrich sees how futile the fighting is and that the soldiers are being manipulated into nonsensical hostilities; all he wants is to go back to everyday life in Germany as Butcher Friedrich. He is very loving towards Topthorn, and they develop a strong bond.
