Animals Lost in Service
World War One
They suffered fatigue, hunger when supplies were ambushed, dehydration, parasites, injury and disease.
While we mourn the devastating loss of hundreds of thousands of lives of men and women every ANZAC Day in New Zealand and remember those that returned home injured both physically and emotionally, there is also however the animal soldiers enlisted that never came home.
There is a special day now dedicated to these service animals on 24 February titled PURPLE POPPY DAY which was created in 2006 by the UK charity “Animal Aid”, to commemorate all animals that served in wars and conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Until recent times these conscripted animals have been the forgotten victims of war who worked in unimaginable harsh conditions serving our country.
Purple is the colour designated to the animals for their bravery, loyalty and gallantry.
It is estimated that more than 16 million animals served during WWI and more than 8 million animals died. 20,000 dogs served Britain and her allies. 500,000 cats also served in the trenches catching rats and canaries used to detect gas in tunnels. More than 100,000 pigeons served in WW1 and 200,000 in WW2 carrying life saving messages.
During the Great War New Zealanders suffered so much trauma both overseas and back home due to the grief and loss of losing their family members and faithful servants whose loyalty saved thousands of lives.
In WWI 1,437 individual families in New Zealand donated their best horses to the military and this sacrifice to the war effort compromised many individuals lives back home also. Sadly these service animals never had a chance to return home to our green pastures at the end of the war - due to transport shortages, ill health and quarantine restrictions. Many lived a life of slavery , sold to local Egyptians or they were shot by their heart broken military horsemen /handlers in a effort to save them from great hardship and the perils of war. Many died from disease or shrapnel wounds despite every effort from the New Zealand Veterinary Corps in an era where antibiotics did not exist, the horses were essential to the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces playing a vital role in transport. The dogs that sniffed out bombs, were companion mascots and found injured soldiers. The pigeons, who could fly through the gunfire or mustard gas, taking life saving messages.
Of the 10,000 or more horses shipped to serve in the Middle East, Gallipoli, the Western Front and Samoa only four officers’ horses were repatriated back home. The best known nationally was “Bess” the treasured mount of Lt Col Guy Powells . On 19 December 2020 this mare was honoured for her military service posthumously by the UK charity Animal Aid with the ‘Blue Cross Award’. This prestigious award is the equivalent to the ‘Victoria Cross’.
Alongside the horses, the NZ Defense Force also sent messenger pigeons and dogs into devastating conditions where they too were also exposed to huge extremes of heat and cold. They suffered fatigue, hunger when supplies were ambushed, dehydration, parasites, injury and disease. The first dog in NZ to receive this award was “Caesar” , famous for his efforts in finding wounded soldiers in the dead of night in no man’s land and leading the Red Cross medics to the site to offer assistance. More recently “Gunner”, the bomb disposal sniffer dog used in Afghanistan, was presented the Blue Cross at the National Army Museum 24 February 2021.
In North Canterbury an enthusiastic community group formed the 2015 “Birchhill Station WWI Memorial Ride “ to fundraise for an educational static display at the Station cemetery and in 2018 another fundraiser trek titled “Remember the War Horse “ was held to raise funds for a memorial plaque at the Rangiora Cenotaph. In both events the wider community came together with VIPs, children, military officers, equestrian groups and walkers from all over the country to show a united belief that the animals need to be honoured . The goal was to encourage community participation and education so that these animals are not forgotten in this generation or the next.
The most recent event was held on19 November 2021 at the Rangiora Klippenberger War Memorial in conjunction with the Waimakariri District Council and R N.Z R.S.A. Funds raised allowed for a granite plaque to be dedicated to all service animals - this being the FIRST cenotaph plaque in New Zealand’s history and organisers Theresa Rosasnowski, Clare Hammond and Ann Stuart hope that other RSAs will follow .
The committee ensured that almost every service animal was remembered , with the exception of a camel there was a mule, donkey, horse,pigeons and a dog. “ Farmlands” Rangiora came to the rescue with large prints of a canary , cat and dog which were displayed by local Pony Club members. Local pigeon expert Tony Hyde released 33 white pigeons whilst the National Anthem was played. The service included Mayor Dan Gorden, BJ Clark National RSA President, Rangiora RSA President Ian Thompson and RSA Executive member Owen Phillips (ex NZDF dog handler) who also played a vital role in its success.
The RNZRSA National Women’s Association have set up the welfare fund titled “NZ Service Animals and Memorial Fund” for present day service animals and relies on donations to cover the cost of sending warm jackets to the military dogs in Afghanistan, they offer rehab, send christmas parcels to the dogs of essential products. The needs of our human military personnel who serve are supported by Veteran Affairs and ACC but service animals once retired from the NZDF who serve alongside them are not so fortunate once they leave their role and now they are supported.
The National Womens RSA also recognises the need for our veteran community to help with ex servicemen and women struggling with PTSD who have a therapy dog in their care. Many have found that the aid of a assistance or therapy dog within the family unit has been effective in helping with panic attacks , mood swings and social situations. These animals have given them the ability to return to life as it was before the distressing event occurred.
To all past and present service animals we acknowledge your service on 24 February Purple Poppy Day.
Written by
Thereza Rosanowski
