The Tribute

Animals played a mighty role in the war even thought they aren’t highly recognised. Without them, many more wouldn’t have returned home.

The War Memorial in Canberra pays respects to those who risked their lives to protect their country and on the 90^th anniversary of World War I, a sentimental monument was unveiled in Hyde Park, London by Princess Royal Anne in November 2004.  This was made in memory of the animals that served, languished and perished alongside the British, Commonwealth and Allied forces in the war.

Australian horses that went to war were often referred to as ‘walers’. These horses were also given tribute at the monument. Of the 136,000 walers only one returned to Australia; Sandy. However the journey was not as simple as it was for the diggers, Sandy travelled from northern France to the Remount Depot in England. He was quarantined for three months and then was cleared of diseases. From Liverpool he boarded a freighter for two months until he reached Melbourne in November 1918. His inability to function gradually increased. In 1923, it was thought the best thing to do was put him down. His head and neck became part of Canberra’s War Memorial.

These four legged friends were definitely the true heroes of World War I.

Monument in London

http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk/

War Horse- Broadway

Many owners had to give up their own horse for war. Horses were forced to leave from the peaceful farms to the hectic battlefields of World War One. This theatrical performance, initially setting in rural England, shows how Albert sells his horse, Joey, to the front line. Even though Albert is too young, he goes to France to save his horse.

Millions of horses died on the Western front. Of those who survived, they were slaughtered for French butchers. In Australia, only one horse safely returned back to its owner. 

This play follows the emotional ride of Joey as he moves through war- a journey of happiness and heartbreak, friendships and quests.

First Person - From A Horse's Perspective

Ammunition wagons tried to replenish getting about half-way to the gun, then shells from left, right and centre exploded blowing my mates and their pets to smithereens. It was a horrific sight but the last two weeks had made us used to it.

I loved my pet; there was a special bond between us after going through the thickest and thinnest of times. Ernie, my pet would bring me back corn and oats from the fields very early in the morning. It was always bland and not very appetizing; it didn’t fill me up at all but there weren’t any other foods around here.  I drank very little water because I wanted to leave some for Sally. Sally was the prettiest of them all; her mane still so shiny and her features still so glamorous. Day after day my belly moves further up into the middle of my back and one day the saddler had to come by to punch some more holes in my girth to keep my saddles on. I was fit and fine at the start but now, after all this I was starting to get weary.  

Back on the battlefield, blood and guts are everywhere, my mates lay dead with their pets kneeling beside them watching their horse ‘Bloody Germans!’ I hear them say.

*as this is from a horses perspective, they refer to their riders as pets

                          http://www.2ndnewyorkcavalry.us/uscavalryhistory.htm

A Glance at the Animals

In World War One, many people died from explosions, gunfire and diseases. However millions of animals died too. Countless animals were taken to the Great War. These animals were in the frontline, in trenches and near the ward. They were very much soldiers too.

Horses were used as transport around the battlefields whilst camels were used to carry soldiers in Egypt. Cats were placed in trenches so there would be fewer mice in the trenches. Pigeons were used to send messages from on base to another. The German Army even used an elephant. In some cases the animals were used as weapons. As the Egyptians worshipped cats, when the Persians let out hundreds of cats in the battlefield, the Egyptians had to surrender rather than attack the Persians, in case a cat was killed in the process.

Animals used in the British Army were organised with the fit and able. If a horse looked ill, they would not be assembled with horses that were to be taken to no man’s land.

Horses and mules were greatly known in the war. They were acknowledged as these creatures saved many lives of soldiers, by taking them to the wards. Any soldier that was associated with a horse or mule, were known to have a great relationship with it.

                                  http://www.ams-museum.org.uk/museum/ravc-history/

The War In General

The Great War began in 28 July 1914 and ended in 11 November 1918.

Before the war there were several complications between the major empires of Europe. Alliances that were formed within countries were triggered after Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife (heirs of the Austro-Hungarian throne).

Princip was an associate of the Black Hand Society, this group wanted Serbia to not be ruled by a foreign power; Austria-Hungary. As the Austro-Hungarian empire was infuriated with the deaths of their heirs, they seeked support from Germany to attack Serbia. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were the Triple Alliance. On the other hand Serbia had an alliance with Russia. As Russia was now involved, Britain and France were too. (These three countries made up the Triple Alliance)

Previous rivalry between Germany and France evoked Germany’s desire to mobilise and attack France. Germany intended to invade Belgium to get to France; this is where many people got killed: western front. The invasion on Belgium prompted the British to officially declare war on Germany.

Many events occurred, one after the other. The war was only expected to last for a few months. Within a few weeks the major powers were at war; via their colonies. Countless lives were lost, and many soldiers came back traumatised. The world had never before seen anything more catastrophic.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/maps/europe1914.htm