I am a true animal lover, especially dogs, and as I am writing this on November 11th, I thought I would dedicate this blog to all the courageous animals who serve and continue to serve for their country, helping to maintain peace and freedom. Sadly many lost their lives and continue to die today, alongside their human comrades.
When it comes to remembering the two world wars, animals are sometime described as the “forgotten victims”, but since World War two there has been a huge desire to recognise the role animals played in human conflict. To commemorate their bravery the Dickin medal, the equivalent of the military’s Victoria cross was established in 1943 by the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals), a charity that looks after injured animals. In 2006 a purple poppy was created to remember the sacrifice these animals made and continue to make today. All donations of the poppy go to the charity Animal Aid and it can be worn alongside the red poppy.
Animals cannot volunteer and have no choice in becoming involved in war when they serve alongside human military personnel. Animals living in war zones, also suffer from the same effects of war as humans, such as injury, stress, lack of food and water. Tragically as bombing and rationing hit the UK during both wars, pet owners were urged to have their pets destroyed to save them from suffering.
According to the Animal Memorial Charity eight million horses and countless mules and donkeys died in World War One. Most of them were used to transport supplies, tens of thousands more were also used as cavalry and gun horses, carrying cannons. Horses had to be shipped from North America to replace those lost. By the time the Second World War came around so many horses had been killed, that there were not enough horses for British troops, so they had to use machines instead. While France, Germany and the Soviet Union still employed horses, using millions between them.
Up to 20,000 dogs were trained in the UK for the front line during the First World War and it is thought that more than a million died in this conflict. During both wars these dogs were trained for detection, carrying military messages, as guard dogs and for finding injured soldiers.
Some were used by the Red Cross to help deliver medical supplies.
Citizens even offered up their dogs for service. Rob a working collie was one such dog. He was enlisted by his owners in 1942. He had lived on a farm in Shropshire but found himself making over 20 parachute descents in North Africa. He was awarded the Dickin medal for gallantry. The medal was engraved with the words “Gallantry and We also Serve”.
Some regiments kept dogs as mascots to lift morale and some service personnel took their own pets to war with them. One story is of a Czechoslovakian pilot who came across a German Shepherd puppy, when he was shot down in France before France fell in 1940. The two formed a remarkable and loyal friendship. They escaped to Britain and then Ant the dog became famed as the dog who flew countless death defying sorties with the RAF over Europe. I recommend you read the adventures of this most amazing man-dog duo of The Second World War in the book War Dog by Damien Lewis.
Over 300,000 pigeons also served in the 2 World Wars, carrying vital messages.
A French pigeon named Cher Ami became famous as she saved the lives of hundreds of soldiers during one battle, by battling on delivering her message despite having a leg blown off and being blinded by German fire.
Animals continue to serve their country in today’s modern warfare. In Ireland in 1973, during the Irish Troubles, Corporal Bryan Criddle and his German Shepherd dog Jason were caught in a blast of five bombs when on patrol searching an open area. Despite being blown 30 feet in the air and managing to survive, the faithful dog stood guard over his handler until help arrived. Unfortunately Bryan died 4 days later. Staying with his handler demonstrates the devotion and loyalty between man and his four legged friend.
There are many similar stories of this brave devotion between human and animals during conflicts such as Vietnam, Iran and Afghanistan, as well as the ongoing aggression with the Taliban. 34 year old Lance Corporal Rowe and his Labrador Sasha were both killed in action when they came under fire by the Taliban during a routine patrol in 2008. The faithful dog had stayed by his handler’s side.
Animals will continue to serve their country, helping to save life and limb. They are revered by some as unique, as they exemplify the professionalism and courage of those who serve their country and we should be justly proud of them. Animals used in warfare, however do not give up their lives, their lives are taken from them. They are the forgotten victims of war, so let’s remember them.