Honouring Animals Who Serve In War

War is a terrible thing. It costs tens of thousands of lives, destroys cities and causes untold suffering. Many times entire family lines and generations are obliterated. During times of war animals often suffer the most. Scared and many times left to their own devices due to fleeing humans, they suffer injury, starvation, and trauma.

This includes all animals. Horses, dogs, cats, and wildlife. During World War I horses were often the victim of war as mechanised machines such as Jeeps and Trucks were not commonplace. Horses were used as we use trucks today to move heavy equipment and supplies, often succumbing to enemy fire.

During World War 2, Pigeons were often used to carry messages and fell victim to war.

Dogs have historically been used for all manner of war duties including moving equipment, search and rescue, alerting soldiers to incoming threats, and attacking those threats when necessary.

Sadly most animals cannot comprehend the meaning of war and find themselves immersed in humane-made suffering. Incredible sounds of explosions, the smell of sulphur from gunpowder, screams of the wounded, will scare anyone. Animals who cannot comprehend why this is happening suffer even more.

Yet still, amidst the terror and chaos of war, animals have stuck with their human companions and help win battles, deliver messages, move equipment, and ensure that humans are both found and survive.

Dogs did not only serve on the front lines. During World War II, well over one hundred dogs were sent from Alaska and to France. These sled dogs dogs provided invaluable service as they opened remote mountainous supply routes and allowed communication between units in the field and headquarters not previously accessible.

In the United States, one of the most famous World War I dogs was Sergeant Stubby.

Sergeant Stubby was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) and was assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the European Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and once caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants, holding him there until American soldiers could apprehend  him. Sergeant Stubby was one of the only dogs to have achieved the official rank of Sergeant in the United States Military and was given the Wound Stripe commendation when he was wounded by an exploding grenade.  His actions were well-documented in American newspapers. In 2018 there was a movie made about him.

In 1943 Maria Dickens helped the United Kingdom create one of the first commonwealth medals to be issued to animals who displayed “conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units”

Between World 1943 and 2018 the Dickens medal was been awarded 71 times, plus one honorary award made in 2014 to all the animals that served in the First World War.

With the heroic actions of animals during wartime, dating back to antiquity it only seems fitting that animals should have their own, specific remembrance and place of honour in the mythos of war. In 2016 the British Animal Rights group known as “Animal Aid”  created the purple poppy as a way to commemorate animals which served during conflicts as they felt animal sacrifices had been the forgotten victims of war.

The Royal British Legion, is the known as the “keeper of the sacred symbol of the poppy” and sells the official red remembrance poppies. The Legion is incredibly strict about the rules for the poppy and does not tolerate any alterations of the poppy or its symbolism. Their official stance of of the red poppy is:   “We see no conflict in wearing the red poppy next to the purple poppy for remembrance.”

For those who love animals, and wish to preserve their legacy, and honour their sacrifice, consider wearing the purple poppy during remembrance day. The purple poppy campaign is much more visible in England than in other areas of the world, but has started to catch on in Canada and the United States.

Understand that the purple poppy is not designed to replace the red poppy, which symbolises the blood of those lost at war. The purple poppy is designed as a companion to the red poppy.

Purple poppy pins can be purchased through a variety of online sources including ebay, amazon, and other online retailers. If you purchase through a reputable retailer, proceeds from purple poppy pin sales will go to benefit both Legions and Animal Advocacy Groups.

Wear your red poppy with pride. Wear your purple poppy to honour animal companions who served.