They also served: Animals in the war

THEY ALSO SERVED

THEY ALSO SERVED

ANIMALS IN WAR

by E. J.SPARROW

INDEX

PREFACE THE ANIMALS WAR MEMORIAL PAGE 4

INTRODUCTION PAGE 5

DEDICATION PAGE 6

HORSES AT WAR PAGE 7

TERRORIST ATTACK BY PIRA PAGE 9

THE HORSE MARINES PAGE 9

MULES WW1 PAGE 11

WW2 PAGE 12

AT MONTE CASINO IN ITALY IN WW2

BURMA IN WW2

THE DONKEYS AT GALLIPOLI IN WW1 PAGE 13

DOGS PAGE 14

SEA DOGS PAGE 16

BOER WAR PAGE 17

AFGHANISTAN PAGE 18

BAMSE PAGE 19

PIGEONS WW1 EXPERIENCES PAGE 20

WW2 DICKENS MEDAL WINNERS PAGE 22

CATS YANGTSE INCIDENT 1949 PAGE 22

DIEPPE RAID PAGE 24

GOATS BOXER REBELLION PAGE 25

BEARS BOMBARDMENT OF ALEXANDRIA 1882 PAGE 25

BATTLE OF JUTLAND 1916 PAGE 26

REINDEER RUSSIA 1917-1922 PAGE 27

CAMELS RMLI– THE BATTLE OF ABU KLEA 1885 PAGE 27

ELEPHANTS WW1 PAGE 28

WW2 PAGE 30

SEA LIONS PAGE 31

MAGGOTS PAGE 32

GLOWWORM PAGE 33

RATS (DEAD RATS) PAGE 33

MASCOTS

PENGUIN Nils Olav, Edinburgh Zoo’s famous penguin PAGE 34

KANGAROO Mascot of the Australian 9th Battalion 1914 PAGE 35

KOALA BEAR Mascot of the Australian 5th Light Horse PAGE 36

PIGS Mascot of the 7th Battalion (Mechanized)

of the Royal Australian Regiment PAGE 36

TIGER Mascot of the 5th/7th Battalion (Mechanized)

the Royal Australian Regiment PAGE 37

BLACKBEAR “Winnie the Pooh “ PAGE 38

IRISH WOLFHOUND Mascot of the Irish Guards PAGE 38

PEACETIME HEROES Rescue Dogs PAGE 39

Sniffer Dogs PAGE 40

POSTSCRIPT PAGE 40

PREFACE

THE ANIMALS WAR MEMORIAL

This monument is an impressive tribute to all the animals that served, suffered and died

alongside the British, Commonwealth and Allied forces in the wars and conflicts of the 20th century.

It is situated on the edge of Hyde Park & was unveiled by HRH the Princess Royal in November 2004,

the 90th anniversary of the start of World War I.

This article focuses on some of these animals with particular emphasis on those who served

with the Royal Marines or aboard ships. It comprises a series of items spanning events from over 200

years culled from a variety of sources showing that special relationship.

The list of animals is extensive: horses, mules, donkeys, camels, reindeer, cats, pigeons,

dogs, goats, bears, rats & even humble glow worms and maggots plus many others.

In many cases their presence symbolises something special. Perhaps it is that the affection

felt for our fellow creatures is the only sane emotion in the turmoil of battle.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way

its animals are treated”

Mahatma Gandhi

INTRODUCTION

In the 21st century our governments have not eliminated war and we still have wounded

and dependants to care for. At least the Community through the Service Charities have

taken on this task.

However there is a group who suffer terribly in war and whose needs are often overlooked

in peace when they still benefit mankind in many ways.

Since Roman times when horses carried Queen Boudicca of the Iceni into battle with the

Romans and Hannibal used elephants against them there has seldom been a conflict

without animals present. In peacetime the animals are still around working in a host of

tasks.

I come from a family where my great grandfather, my grandfather and 2 of his brothers

plus my uncle and cousin were all vets and so perhaps through contact with them I acquired

a sympathetic understanding of the animal’s plight.

In WW2 my grandfather and a brother both in their eighties routinely travelled in a pony

trap to support local farmers. My cousin served in the RAVC and my uncle a WW1 veteran

worked at Southend. One of his sad experiences was the Kursaal zoo at Southend-on-sea

was disbanded at the beginning of the Second World War. There was a distinct fear if the

site was bombed the animals could escape and cause more mayhem in the streets of

Southend. Unfortunately therefore it was necessary for him to put most of the animals

down.

More recently during the fighting in Bosnia the zoo in Sarajevo was in no man’s land

between the Serbs and Muslim defenders resulting in the loss of most of the animals. When

the lions stopped their normal roaring first thing in the morning a volunteer keeper went to

check on them. A Serb sniper shot him in the back and killed him.

Perhaps the publishing of these true stories may help to improve the lot of so many

creatures, who continue to sacrifice so much.

So you are invited to donate directly to help the work of your local Animal Welfare Charities.

DEDICATED TO THE MEMBERS OF

THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS

and in particular

IN MEMORY OF

A British soldier and his faithful friend who died side-by-side in Afghanistan Lance Corporal Ken Rowe and his sniffer dog Sasha were killed in a Taliban ambush in Helmand.

Lance Cpl Ken Rowe SASHSA’S DICKIN MEDAL

On 24 July 2008, Sasha, a four-year-old Labrador, was returning from a routine search operation in

Afghanistan’s Helmand province with her handler, Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe, when their patrol

was ambushed by the Taliban. They were both killed in a grenade attack.

The Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) looked into Sasha’s records, and found that she had made

15 confirmed operational finds, including detecting explosive devices as well as mortars, mines and

other weapons

It has been announced that Sasha has been awarded the PDSA Dickin medal, which acknowledges

“outstanding acts of bravery displayed by animals serving in the armed forces or civil defence units

in any theatre of war, worldwide”. L/Cpl Rowe and Sasha had died together as they had served

together, side by side.

HORSES AT WAR

(c) IWM

Perhaps of all the animals to suffer most alongside man in battle was the horse. In

the Great War over 2 million horses died. On war being declared the British not only called

the reservists to the Colours but the horses were called up as well. The farm ho

horses were used to haul supplies & the guns, the hunters used as remounts for the cavalry.

The logistics of feeding all the horses on the Western Front proved a major problem. It was

found that as much feedstock had to be shipped to France as

Over the course of time the Cavalry horse has seldom come out of an engagement without

sustaining heavy casualties.

At Agincourt King Henry V chose the battle ground carefully so that the French knights were

funnelled into marshy ground where they were confronted by rows of sharpened stakes.

Bogged down in the mire they were slaughtered by the English bowmen.

(c) IWM



the reservists to the Colours but the horses were called up as well. The farm ho



found that as much feedstock had to be shipped to France as shells for the artillery.



arshy ground where they were confronted by rows of sharpened stakes.

Bogged down in the mire they were slaughtered by the English bowmen.



the reservists to the Colours but the horses were called up as well. The farm horses & cart



shells for the artillery.



arshy ground where they were confronted by rows of sharpened stakes.

At Waterloo Wellington again had chosen his ground well. As the French cavalry breasted

the crest of the hill they found the British infantry drawn up in squares where they received

volley after volley.

From biblical times the native troops would try to cut the hamstrings and harness of the

horses. At the battle of Omdurman on the 2nd September 1898 in the Sudan the Dervishes

would feign death until close enough to the passing cavalry to hamstring the horses and

then pull the trooper to the ground.

Although the cavalry was able to manoeuvre during the early days of WW1 in

Flanders, the large barbwire defences, which grew up, very much restricted their use.

However, In the Middle East, Allenby was very effective in using his cavalry against the

Turks.

However in the heat of the desert the animals suffered terribly. In 1916, the average

loss of sick horses and mules from the Sinai front was approximately 640 per week. They

were transported in train loads of thirty trucks, each holding eight horses. Animals which

died or were destroyed while on active service were buried 2 miles from the nearest camp

unless this was not practicable. In this case the carcasses were transported to a suitable site

away from troops, where they were disembowelled and left to disintegrate in the dry desert

air and high temperatures. Animals which died or were destroyed in veterinary units at

Kantara, Ismailia, Bilbeis, and Quesna were dealt with in this way and after four days’ drying

in the sun, the carcases were stuffed with straw and burnt, after the skins were salvaged.

These were sold to local contractors.

Prior to the war had been the great age of the horse. The advent of the railways to

transport goods across the country had required large numbers of horse drawn vehicles to

handle the goods locally. Post war their numbers never recovered, as they were superseded

by motor vehicles.

At the end very few horses returned home and these tended to be officer’s mounts.

My uncle Captain Harry Davis Sparrow in the R.A.V.C stationed with the 5th Veterinary

Evacuating Station received the Chevalier du Merite Agricole for services to agriculture in

France. H e was given the distressing task of sorting the surviving horses into 2 groups. The

fittest were sold to Belgian and French farmers, who had lost theirs in the war. The rest

were slaughtered for food as there were many people, who had been living in the territory

occupied by the Germans, who were starving. Soldiers who had served throughout the war

were in tears as their mounts were led away to die.

TERRORIST ATTACK

Even in peacetime there are risks from terrorists. The picture shows seven horses of the

Household Cavalry killed in the PIRA's 1982 Hyde Park bombing. The car-mounted nail bomb

detonated on South Carriage Drive killing four soldiers and seven horses

THE HORSE MARINES

Perhaps the least expected troops to be seen with men on horseback were the British

Marines

The Royal Marines have a long association with horses. In the early days of the Corps it was

not uncommon for officers to lead their men into action while mounted. Being elevated on

horseback above their men, the officers were better able to direct the action.

The above is the frieze in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol at Washington. It depicts

Major Pitcairn on horseback leading his marines into battle at Lexington Green

Major Pitcairn was subsequently killed leading the 2nd marine battalion to take Bunker

(actually Breed’s) Hill in June 17, 1775.

The first reference to “Horse Marines” where marines were used as mounted

infantry was in 1795, on the West Indies Station when the 17th Light Dragoons were

embarked on HMS Hermione.

Royal Marines were also used on horseback during the Napoleonic wars. Mounted

marines were landed from ships to carry out coastal raids up to 50 miles inland. The first

known use of a “British Mounted Marines” corps was in 1802, when the British Royal Navy

organized a few hundred men from the Marines, who could pass a riding test. These men

were mustered aboard units of the Royal Navy in small detachments. Originally it was

thought they would be used in the Peninsular War but no record has been found of any such

actions.

The only documented case of the Royal Mounted Marines seeing service on

horseback was in 1811. A detachment was landed on the island of Java in the Dutch East

Indies from the HMS Lion. At the time the Dutch were an ally of Napoleon. The horse

marines, numbering some 190 men, captured French General Jamelle who was passing

through the area and disarmed over 500 Dutch troops with few losses of their own. They

later escorted Rear Admiral Robert Stopford, commander of the task force, when he

received the surrender of the French forces at Surabaya on September 22, 1811. More detail

is given in the New York Times article 27 April 1913

In 1861 President Miramon’s rule in Mexico was assisted through British intervention

by a detachment of mounted Royal Marines.

During both World Wars Royal Marines used horses, ponies & mules to move

munitions & supplies.

In more recent times the Royal Marines used horses mainly for recreation (polo)

MULES

Mules struggling in the mud of Flanders in WW1 (c) IWM

Mules were used in both World Wars as a means of moving supplies to forward

troops over ground impassable to road vehicles.

Mules didn’t exist in nature. They were an artificial product of human ingenuity, and

like many such products, it didn’t take long before they found a place in the grim business of

war.

A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. The genetic mismatch

of these species causes sterility, but the hybrid creates a pack animal that combines a

horse’s strength and intelligence with a donkey’s sure-footedness and endurance. In

addition, a mule’s hide and hooves are tougher than a horse’s, and endure heat better. They

carry heavier loads for longer distances, and eat a third less than horses doing the same

work.

In World War 1 the Royal Marines had mules assigned to the battalions in the Royal

Naval Division.

“At the beginning of WWII the British Army was completely mechanised. All animal

transport companies had been phased out. But at the last moment it was realised that they

did after all need animal transport to bring ammunition and supplies up to the front, quietly

with mules (the mules were "de-voiced" to stop them braying). India at the time had 36

animal transport companies and when asked by Britain they sent four companies at very

short notice, by sea with all their mules and horses.

The mules embarked from Bombay in 1939 - it was the severest winter in Europe for 125

years - to Marseilles on the south coast of France. None of the animals were lost.

The 22nd company were captured by the Germans just before Dunkirk and were

made prisoners of war. The other three companies were evacuated from Dunkirk, and the

men were very distressed at having to leave their mules and horses behind. Mule drivers

became very attached to their animals. They gave them away to local people in Northern

France to look after.

Having arrived in Britain at first they were given French Army horses. In 1941 1,000

mules were imported from the USA. Subsequently, the mules were extensively used in

both Italy and in the jungle fighting in Burma. In Burma the mules were taken in planes &

gliders to work with the Chindits operating behind Japanese lines.

(c) IWM

Mules being loaded onto a C-47 Transport Aircraft in Burma in WW2.

(c) IWM

Mules carry all-important food and ammunition to the troops holding positions on the hill at

Monte Cassino in Italy in 1943

THE DONKEYS AT GALLIPOLI

Private John Simpson Kirkpartrick became famous for his

”the man with the donkey” at Gallipoli between 25 April, when he landed, and his death in

action on 19 May 1915. Using one of the donkeys landed on the first day for water carrying

and, later, a second animal he transpor

Monash Valley to the beach on ANZAC Cove. He did so through deadly sniping down the

valley and heavy shrapnel fire. He was an Englishman, who originally came from South

Shields serving with the Australian

beach at Hell Spit.

It is thought the New Zealanders may have taken the donkeys to Gallipoli, as they

believed the Donkeys would not drink contaminated water & hence show, which wells were

safe. It is understood that there was in fact more than one donkey used to bring casualties

to the Aid stations. They were called variously Abdul or Murphy but also Duffy.

By the time of his death, from machine gun fire, as he was bringing down two

wounded men, in just 24 days he was to rescue over 300 men down the notorious Monash

Valley. The RMLI were fighting in the area next to the ANZACs & would also be amongst

those saved by the donkeys.

With Abdul Their statue at Canberra outside the National War Memor

important food and ammunition to the troops holding positions on the hill at

n 1943

THE DONKEYS AT GALLIPOLI

Private John Simpson Kirkpartrick became famous for his work as a stretcher



and, later, a second animal he transported wounded men day and night from the fighting in



Shields serving with the Australians. He was shot through the heart & was buried on the



nderstood that there was in fact more than one donkey used to bring casualties



24 days he was to rescue over 300 men down the notorious Monash

The RMLI were fighting in the area next to the ANZACs & would also be amongst

Their statue at Canberra outside the National War Memor

important food and ammunition to the troops holding positions on the hill at

work as a stretcher-bearer and as



ted wounded men day and night from the fighting in



s. He was shot through the heart & was buried on the



nderstood that there was in fact more than one donkey used to bring casualties



24 days he was to rescue over 300 men down the notorious Monash

The RMLI were fighting in the area next to the ANZACs & would also be amongst

Their statue at Canberra outside the National War Memorial

DOGS

DUTIES UNDERTAKEN BY DOGS IN WAR

Dogs have undertaken a large number of tasks on the battle field apart from guard dogs and

in recent years sniffing out explosives.

Belgian Dogs pulling machine guns

French Red Cross dogs used to carry medical supplies.

Messenger dog

British Bloodhounds used to find wounded soldiers

SEA DOGS

Royal Marine Dog “Mike”

Mike served on HMS ORLANDO during the “Boxer” rebellion in 1900.

Mike twice led a bayonet charge by the ship’s Royal Marines during the heavy

fighting at Tientsin. He was first to engage with the enemy biting their buttocks. He died in

action with internal injuries 14 September 1900

The Royal Marines from HMS Orlando, who supported Mike in his attacks on the enemy.

BOER WAR Battle of Graspan

The Royal Marine National Graspan Memorial which stands in the Mall in the centre of

London. It is dedicated to those Royal Marines killed in the 2nd Boer War & China 1899 -1900

On the 25th November 1899 the Royal Marines were involved in the battle of Graspan. “Two

RMLI companies and one RMA company, with a total of 190 officers and men, had been

formed at Simonstown in South Africa from the complements of HMS Doris, Powerful and

Terrible. Their task was to accompany the Naval Brigade’s sailors and four 12-pounder guns,

which were sent by rail to reinforce Lord Methuen’s relief column on its way to raising the

siege of Kimberley. They had acted in support at the Battle of Belmont on the 23rd

and two

days later spearheaded the assault on Boer positions dug in atop Graspan kopje....... The

Royal Marines companies assembled at 0700hrs and moved forward from their start line

towards the enemy held crests half a mile away as soon as the preliminary bombardment

had stopped. Each marine was only 4 paces from his neighbour and thus bunched they made

a series of rushes..... A heavy and accurate fire swept through the advancing British line,

marines falling at every step, including the commanding officer Major J. H. Plumbe RMLI,

Captain G. Senior RMA and ninety others, of whom 5 were killed outright.

When leading a charge at Graspan Major Plumbe was shot. His last words were “Forward!

Never mind me.” His pet Jack Russell terrier sat with his body for 6 hours.

AFGHANISTAN

NOWZAD TALI with pups

JENA

It has been a long standing practice that the Royal Marines try to take home not only their

wounded but where ever possible this applies to the dead as well. In the 2006 deployment

to Afghanistan 42 Commando RM added the dogs that served with them as well.

A pair of strays started a new life in Britain after the Marines smuggled them across the war-

torn country. The dogs, which were found begging for food, were taken in by the Royal

Marines in Helmand province and spent months living in a bunker.

When the men ended their deployment they feared for the animals' welfare so they

arranged for them to be transported by Afghan people to a rescue centre in Kabul. The dogs

were hidden in the back of trucks for three days, escaping the attention of the Taliban and

dog thieves, and had to swap vehicles on several occasions to evade discovery.

After being flown 3,500 miles to England and spending six months in quarantine, the pair,

Nowzad and Tali, are living at the home of 42 Commando's Sgt Paul "Penny" Farthing 38,

and his wife Lisa. The dogs were found in October 2006 in the town of Nowzad with three

other dogs, which the men named RPG, Jen and AK. Nowzad's ears had been cut off and Tali

was carrying six puppies but the men, based at Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth, Devon,

took them in. The troops arranged for the dogs to be transported to the shelter in Kabul

Two weeks after arriving in Kabul, Nowzad and Tali were flown to England while Jena was

sent to a new home in the US. Sgt Farthing added: "They have both come from one of the

most dangerous places in the world, where all dogs have to hunt for scraps to stay alive and

face the daily abuse of dog fighting or puppy breeding and even dodge military bombs. But

they are now living a safe and happy existence."

Sgt Farthing has formed the Nowzad Dogs Charity, which helps re-home stray dogs in

Afghanistan and source medical supplies from Pakistan”.

BAMSE

“BAMSE” of the Royal Norwegian Navy

Bamse (Norwegian for "teddy bear") (1937 – 22ND July 1944) was a Saint Bernard

that became the mascot of the Free Norwegian Forces during the WW2. He was also a

symbol of Norwegian Resistance during the war.

At the onset of the Second World War, Thorodd was drafted into the Royal

Norwegian Navy as a coastal patrol vessel, based in Hammerfest, and Bamse was enrolled as

an official crew member on 9 February 1940. After the Nazi invasion of Norway on 9 April

1940 the Thorodd was part of the naval opposition to the Germans and had as one of its

uses POW transport. Shortly before the 10 June 1940 capitulation of mainland Norway,

Thorodd was one of 13 Norwegian naval vessels to escape to the UK, arriving 17 June, 1940.

She was converted to a minesweeper in Rosyth from June 30, 1940 and stationed in

Montrose and Dundee in Scotland, where she remained for the rest of the war.

Bamse and his crew

Bamse lifted the morale of the ship's crew, and became well known to the local civilian

population. In battle, he would stand on the front gun tower of the boat, and the crew

made him a special metal helmet. His acts of heroism included saving a young lieutenant

commander who had been attacked by a man wielding a knife by pushing the assailant into

the sea, and dragging back to shore a sailor who had fallen overboard. He was also known

for breaking up fights amongst his crewmates by putting his paws on their shoulders,

calming them down and then leading them back to the ship. One of Bamse's tasks in

Scotland was to round up his crew and escort them back to the ship in time for duty or

curfew. To do this, he travelled on the local buses unaccompanied, and the crew bought him

a bus pass which was attached to his collar. Bamse would wander down to the bus stop at

Broughty Ferry Road and take the bus down to Dundee. He would get off at the bus stop

near his crew's favourite watering hole, the Bodega Bar and go in to fetch them. If he could

not locate his friends he would take the bus back to base.

Bamse’s coffin was draped with the Royal Norwegian flag with his sailor’s cap

perched on it and was carried by six of the Thorodd’s crew. Eight hundred children silently

lined the way and shopkeepers, factory workers and housewives turned out with

them. Local dignitaries and the crew of six Norwegian ships stood guard of honour. Bamse

was buried in the sand-dunes on the banks of the South Esk River.

Patriotic symbol

From his ship's mascot, Bamse became mascot of the Royal Norwegian Navy, and

then of all the Free Norwegian Forces. An iconic photograph of him wearing a Norwegian

sailor's cap was used on patriotic Easter cards and Christmas cards during the war. The PDSA

made him an official Allied Forces Mascot.

Bamse was posthumously awarded the Norges Hundeorden in 1984 for his war

service. In 2006, he was also awarded the PDSA Gold Medal (also known as the "animals'

“George Cross ") for gallantry and devotion to duty, the only WWII animal to have received

this honour.

A larger than life sized bronze statue of Bamse was unveiled by HRH Prince Andrew

at Wharf Street in Montrose on 17 October 2006.

PIGEONS

In both World Wars pigeons were used to carry important messages. However, the

carrier pigeons suffered great losses. On the home front peregrine falcons would attack the

pigeons in the air resulting in loss of important information from the continent.

Consequently, the Air Ministry found it necessary to issue "The Destruction of Peregrine

Falcons Order" (1941), a decree with the aim to wipe out peregrine falcons from the areas

to which the pigeons were supposed to return.

The enemy also attacked the carrier pigeons. The Germans were not only trying to

shoot down suspiciously-looking pigeons. They were also breeding hawks to chase the

English pigeons. On the other hand, the English bred falcons to take care of German carrier

pigeons which were given official POW status when caught!

(c) IWM( c) IWM (c) IWM

WW2 WINNERS OF THE DICKIN MEDAL

1943: Winkie – first pigeon to be awarded the Dickin medal; flew 120 miles from a crashed

bomber to deliver an SOS. In all 32 pigeons were awarded the medal in World War II

1943: Ruhr Express – a messenger pigeon

1944: Commando – a messenger pigeon

1944: Paddy – messenger pigeon that made the fastest recorded crossing of the English

Channel, delivering messages from Normandy for D-Day, travelling 230 miles in 4 hours

5 minutes.

1944: William of Orange – a messenger pigeon used in the Battle of Arnhem in September

1944 saving 2000 soldiers

1946: G.I. Joe – a messenger pigeon and the only American bird or animal to be awarded

the medal in WW II. The US Air Force was to bomb the city of Calvi Risorta in Italy at 11 am

on October 18, 1943, however, British troops captured the city at 10 am and attempts to

cancel the raid by radio failed. G.I. Joe had been borrowed from the American airfield earlier

and, released with a message to stop the raid, arrived as the bombers were about to take

off. An estimated 1,000 British troops could have died if the bombing had gone ahead

At least two Australian carrier pigeons attached to the Australian Army have received the

Dickin Medal:

Blue bar cock No. 139:D/D:43:T Detachment 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to

Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang 12 July 1945. Awarded the Dickin Medal for

gallantry carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an

Army boat with a vital cargo, in danger of foundering.

Blue chequer cock No. 879:D/D: 43: Q Loft No. 5 of 1 Australian Pigeon Section, attached to

the US forces, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands 5th April 1944. Awarded the Dickin Medal for

gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a patrol

surrounded and attacked by the enemy without other means of communication.

CATS

Virtually every ship in the Royal Navy had a cat listed as a member of the crew not

just for company but to keep rodents under control.

THE YANGTSE RIVER INCIDENT IN 1949

In April 1949, HMS Amethyst received orders to steam up the Yangtze river from

Shanghai to Nanking to relieve HMS Consort, which was guarding the British Embassy in

case the Communists captured the town and personnel had to be evacuated.

However, HMS Amethyst did not get much further than 100 miles or so upriver

before being shelled by Communist shore batteries. The first shots missed. But an hour later

another battery opened up, hitting the wheelhouse and the bridge, and causing HMS

Amethyst to run aground on a mud bank. Further shots were fired and caused still more

damage. The situation was very serious. Twenty-five of the crew were dead or dying,

including the captain and the MO, and many others were injured.

Eventually First Lieutenant Weston, now in command of HMS Amethyst in spite of a

severe injury himself, managed to get the ship refloated and it was moved a couple of miles

upriver, away from the main Communist guns. The next day other ships, HMS London and

HMS Black Swan, came upriver to help, but were also forced to withdraw.

The ship’s cat Simon had been asleep in the captain's cabin when a shell landed very

close by and blasted a fifteen-foot hole in the bulkhead. He had bad facial burns, shrapnel

wounds in four places in the leg and back, and his heart was weak; but at least no bones

were broken. However, he was soon back on rat-catching duties, needed more than ever.

Rats had started to seriously affect the food supplies, and had even begun to invade the

living quarters. The shelling and commotion had stirred them up and caused them to spread

from their regular haunts. Not serious at first, the situation became so as they multiplied.

Stores were running low and needed to be protected. Simon caught at least one rat a day,

often more, which in itself was excellent for the crew's morale

Sadly Simon died of enteritis whilst in quarantine on his return to the UK.

IN MEMORY OF "SIMON"

SHIP’S CAT SERVED IN H.M.S. AMETHYST, MAY 1948 — SEPTEMBER 1949

AWARDED DICKIN MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE YANGTZE INCIDENT, WHERE HIS

BEHAVIOUR WAS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER APRIL 1949

DIED 28TH NOVEMBER 1949.

Simon however was not the only cat involved in the action. Royal Maine cat “Minnie” &

Chief Petty Officer Baker’s cat were both aboard HMS London, which sustained heavy damage.

Chief Baker’s cat on HMS London Royal Marine cat “Minnie”

THE DIEPPE RAID 1942

SOOTY of HM Tank Landing Craft No. 5

This vessel was involved in the abortive British raid on Dieppe, France, in 1942. Sooty

RN, Ship's Cat First Class, was a small black-and-white female attached as mascot to the

vessel and was just ten weeks old at the time. The craft was hit by enemy fire while

retreating, caught fire and was sinking when Sooty managed to swim clear. She clung on to

a surviving crewman's steel helmet until both were rescued by a flakship. She was the only

animal to accompany the force involved in that ill-fated operation, and was said to have

behaved throughout in a seacat-like manner, taking little notice of all the noise and

confusion. The photo quality is poor as it is from an old newspaper cutting, but it shows

Sooty wearing a 'miniature VC' fashioned for her by her shipmates.

GOATS

While many units of the British Services have goats as mascots, the one above saw

action when it sailed with HMS Orlando during the “Boxer” rebellion. With him are “Jimmy

the One”: 1 st Lieutenant Wright, who died of wounds received in the fighting in Tientsin &

Sub-Lieutenant Fisher.

BEARS

HMS ALEXANDRA’S BEAR 1881

Excerpt from a letter dated 28 January 1881 from the future Admiral Sir Edward Charlton

KCB, KCM

The bear saw action when in July 1882 HMS Alexandra commanded by Captain

Charles Hotham, and the flag ship of Admiral Sir Beauchamp

ships at Alexandria. They had gone to the rescue of Khedive Ismail, who had been

threatened by a popular revolt under Colonel Arabi. On the 11

the first salvo as the Egyptians had refused an ultimatum to surrender Following the

bombardment Britain retained a military presence in the Suez Canal Zone until 1956.

JUTLAND 1916

He was not the only bear to go into action. Bruno the bear of HMS Marlborough

served at the battle of Jutland


Charles Hotham, and the flag ship of Admiral Sir Beauchamp-Seymour, was in a fleet of 14


threatened by a popular revolt under Colonel Arabi. On the 11th July HMS Alexandra f




Jutland in 1916.


Seymour, was in a fleet of 14


July HMS Alexandra fired




REINDEER

Reindeer were used to transport goods by the Royal Marines serving in Russia 1917 – 1922

CAMELS

RMLI on CAMELS – Battle of Abu Klea 16 to 18 January 1885

In an attempt to reach General Gordon at Khartoum a ”Flying Column” was formed

from elite troops mounted on camels. The Guards regiment of the camel corps was formed

from the Royal Marine Light Infantry, the Grenadier, Coldstream and Scots Guards and the

Mounted Infantry regiment from line infantry regiments. They fought at the Battle of Abu

Klea.

The Guards Camel Regiment comprised: 23 officers, 403 men; 1st, 2nd 3rd Grenadier

Guards, 1st and 2nd Coldstream Guards, 1st and 2nd Scots Guard, 106 Royal Marine Light

Infantry (RMLI).

Elephants first appeared on the European battle field when Hannibal attacked Rome

Transport of war elephants, Hannibal crossing the Rhone

An elephant charge could reach about

stopped by an infantry line setting spears. Its power was based on pure force: it would crash

into an enemy line, trampling and swinging its tusks. Those men who were not crushed

were at least knocked aside or forced back. Moreover, the terror elephants can inspire

against an enemy unused to fighting them (such as the Romans) could cause him to break

and run just on the charge's momentum alone. Horse cavalry were not safe either, because

horses unaccustomed to the smell of elephants panicked easily. Elephants' thick hide make

them extremely difficult to kill or neutralize in any way, and their sheer height and mass

offered considerable protection for their riders. Unfortunately, they also had tendency to

panic themselves: after sustaining moderate wounds or when their driver was killed, they

would run amok, indiscriminately causing casualties as they sought escape. Their panicked

retreat could inflict heavy losses on either side. Experienced Roman infantr

sever their trunks, causing an instant panic, and hopefully causing the elephant to flee back

into its own lines.

WORLD WAR 1

In WW1 former circus elephants were used by both sides as beasts of burden

particularly for moving heavy logs

ground denied to mechanized vehicles.

Timber was of prime importance to both sides in building and repairing trench systems.

ELEPHANTS

lephants first appeared on the European battle field when Hannibal attacked Rome


An elephant charge could reach about 30 km/h and unlike horse cavalry, could not be easily



aside or forced back. Moreover, the terror elephants can inspire



omed to the smell of elephants panicked easily. Elephants' thick hide make





retreat could inflict heavy losses on either side. Experienced Roman infantr


In WW1 former circus elephants were used by both sides as beasts of burden

heavy logs. They had the advantage of being able to traverse rough

ground denied to mechanized vehicles.


lephants first appeared on the European battle field when Hannibal attacked Rome


30 km/h and unlike horse cavalry, could not be easily



aside or forced back. Moreover, the terror elephants can inspire



omed to the smell of elephants panicked easily. Elephants' thick hide make





retreat could inflict heavy losses on either side. Experienced Roman infantry often tried to


In WW1 former circus elephants were used by both sides as beasts of burden and

. They had the advantage of being able to traverse rough


Elephant used to shift material for the Department of munitions in the UK

Belgium circus elephants moving timber

The Germans likewise used elephants to transport logs.

WORLD WAR 2

(c) IWM

In WW2 they were used to move heavy awkward objects here the RNAS are using one to

move a plane.

“Old Faithful” an 80 year old elephant shunting a rail goods wagon in1945

SEA LIONS

The Shallow Water Intruder Detection System (SWIDS) is a project involving specially

trained sea lions to locate water-borne intruders and suspicious objects near piers and ships

that pose a possible threat to military forces in the area. It has been shown to be effective

under and around ships, piers, and in open water.

The SWIDS capability demonstration was deployed to Bahrain as part of the effort to

support missions under Operation Enduring Freedom.

The US Navy uses hardware and unarmed instrumented test equipment that may be

fired from ships or dropped from planes into the ocean. Traditionally, these items were

recovered by human divers. However, humans are restricted to short periods of working

time on the bottom. They are also hampered by poor visibility, currents, and the

requirement for medical personnel, a decompression chamber, and other surface support.

To meet this need, the US Navy developed the MK 5 Marine Mammal System (MMS). The

MK 5 MMS became operational in 1975 and uses California sea lions to locate and attach

recovery hardware to underwater objects such as practice mines. Some of these mines are

equipped with a device called a pinger that sends out a beeping sound to help the sea lion

locate them. For this, the sea lion may have to dive to depths of 500 feet or more. The sea

lion recovery system consists of a small rubber boat, a sea lion, and two or three handlers.

When the boat arrives at the recovery site, the sea lion is sent over the side and given a bite

plate to which an attachment device is mounted. The sea lion locates the object by using its

exceptional hearing to locate the pinger attached to the shape. A strong line tied to the bite

plate is played out from the boat as the sea lion swims down to the object and attaches the

device. To be sure the connection is good, the sea lion tests it by pulling back on it a few

times. The sea lion then releases the bite plate and returns to the boat for a well-deserved

reward of fish while a crane is used to pull the object off the bottom.

MAGGOTS

A wound cleaned by maggots

Maggots have been used to carry out precise removal of dead tissue. Surgeons

cannot be very precise in cutting out dead tissue while leaving living tissue. The human eye

is simply not very discriminating in identifying healthy tissue from dead tissue, and surgeons

only have a very limited time to operate while their patient is under anaesthesia.

Consequently, surgeons use their scalpels to remove far more viable tissue than is needed,

producing a wound larger than necessary that has more bleeding and a greater chance of

becoming infected. Patients also experience more wound-associated pain after removal of

healthy tissue. This technique was used in a number of cases particularly by Special Forces

operating in remote areas during the Indonesian Confrontation.

Application of maggot wound dressings

Maggots are contained in a cage-like dressing over the wound for two days. The

maggots may be allowed to move freely within that cage, with the wound floor acting as the

bottom of the cage; or the maggots may be contained within a sealed pouch, placed on top

of the wound. The dressing must be kept air permeable because maggots require oxygen to

live. When maggots are satiated, they become substantially larger and seek to leave the site

of a wound. Multiple two-day courses of maggot therapy may be administered depending

on the severity of the non-healing wound.

Maggots can never reproduce in the wound since they are still in the larval stage and too

immature to do so. Reproduction can only occur when they become adult flies and mate.

GLOW WORM

Glow worms were used by officers to check their watches before going over the top on the

Western Front in World War 1. A cigarette can be seen at a thousand yards at night. Hence

the need for the officers to have a very low intensity light, which could not be seen by the

enemy.

RAT

While our other animals served when still alive it was “dead rats” that were used to further

British war aims.

The idea for the 'exploding' rat - now immortalised as part of the SOE legend - was

developed in 1941. The aim was to blow up the enemy's boilers by leaving the rat on the

coal beside a boiler, with the fuse being lit when the rat was shovelled into the fire. They

were never used, as the first consignment was seized by the Germans and the secret was

blown.

The Germans were fascinated by the idea, however, and the rats were exhibited at the top

military schools. Indeed, the SOE files show that the Germans actually organised searches

for these rodent explosives. The source of the dead rats was a London supplier, who was

under the mistaken belief that it was for London University.

MASCOTS These animals did not necessarily go with the troops to a war zone.

PENGUIN Edinburgh penguin given knighthood by Norway's King

Nils Olav, Edinburgh Zoo’s famous penguin, was visited by the Norwegian King’s

Guard on Friday 15 August 2008, the day he was awarded a knighthood by HM King Harald.

The Guardsmen visit Nils every few years while they are in the city performing at the

Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Over the years, they have promoted Nils through the ranks and

he is currently ranked ‘Colonel-in Chief’. Following a ceremony at the Zoo on 15 August, yet

another promotion was bestowed on this very special penguin and his knighthood had been

approved by Norway's King.

Nils Olav became an honorary member of the Norwegian Royal Guard in 1972, after

a young lieutenant called Nils Egelien first visited the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo. He was

named after the soldier and Norway's then king Olav V. Since that time he has received

various accolades for long service and good conduct including medals and a 4ft bronze

statue. The penguin honoured now is unfortunately not the original Nils Olav who died in

1987, but was then replaced by a two-year-old penguin at the Zoo. A penguin's life span is

normally around 20 years.

David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity that

owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King’s

Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of. It’s an honour that they take the time

to visit us. Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most

famous of them all.”

KANGAROO

The Australian 9th

Battalion 1914

A picture of the Lines of the 9th and 10th Battalions at Mena Camp, looking towards the

Pyramids. The soldier in the foreground is playing with a kangaroo, the regimental mascot.

The following year they were part of the Anzac force that fought in Gallipoli. Subsequently

the Australians fought in Palestine.

KOALA

5th Light Horse and the Koala Mascot [From: The Queenslander, 19 December 1914, p. 23.]

PIGS

Mascot of the 7th Battalion (Mechanized) of the Royal Australian Regiment

'Willy' a large feral pig has resided in the battalion since 1987 and represents the link to 7

RAR. Willis is named after SGT Dave Willis, BEM, who served with 7 RAR, including the

second tour of Vietnam, and subsequently with 5/7 RAR. Sadly 'Willis' passed away due to ill

health in 1998

During WW1 many pigs were abandoned on the Western Front by farmers who fled their

farms as the Allies retreated in 1914. The pigs settled to live in “No man’s Land”. As a

consequence Allied troops did not eat pork or bacon as the pigs kept alive by feeding on the

corpses.

TIGER

The 5th/7th Battalion (Mechanized) The Royal Australian Regiment

5/7 RAR adopted the Sumatran Tiger Quintus as the battalion Mascot. Previously Quintus

was the mascot of 5 RAR. Quintus reached the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two, before his

retirement due to old age in 1985, and his subsequent death in Jun 1986 at Taronga Park

Zoo. On the retirement of Quintus, another tiger aptly named Quintus Secondus was

adopted by the battalion. Quintus Secundus remained the mascot until the Battalion moved

to Darwin in 1999 and was discharged at this time. The Tiger Battalion was without a mascot

until a new mascot, Quintus Septimus was enlisted on the 3 Dec 03.

Quintus Septimus, a Sumatran Tiger, resides at Crocadylus Park in Darwin and is paraded

whenever possible in the comfort of a vehicle mounted cage

BLACK BEAR

Harry Colebourn and Winnie 1914

Winnipeg (or "Winnie") was the name given to a female Black Bear that lived at London Zoo

from 1915 until her death in 1934. She was bought as a small cub for $20 (probably from the

hunter who had shot her mother) at a stop in White River, Ontario, by Lt Harry Colebourn of The

Fort Garry Horse, a Canadian cavalry regiment, en route to the Western Front during the First World

War. The bear was smuggled into Britain as an unofficial regimental mascot. Lt. Colebourn, the

regiment’s veterinarian named her after his home city of Winnipeg in Manitoba. Before leaving for

France, Colebourn left “Winnie” at London Zoo.

A. A. Milne called his Teddy “Winnie” after her: hence “Winnie the Pooh “ was born

IRISH WOLFHOUND

MASCOT OF THE IRISH GUARDS

Since 1902, an Irish wolfhound has been presented as a mascot to the regiment by the

members of the Irish Wolfhound Club, who hoped the publicity would increase the breed's

popularity with the public.

The first mascot was called Brian Boru, after one of Ireland's historic heroes. There have

been twelve more since, all named after Irish High Kings or heroes. In 1961, the wolfhound

was admitted to the select club of "official" Army mascots, entitling him to the services of

the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, as well as quartering and food at public expense

Originally, the mascot was in the care of a drummer boy, but is now looked after by one of

the regiment's drummers and his family. The Irish Guards are the only Guards regiment

permitted to have their mascot lead them on parade. During Trooping the Colour, however,

the mascot marches only from Royal Artillery Barracks as far as Horse Guards Parade. He

then falls out of the formation and does not participate in the trooping itself.

Since the accidental death in 2007 of Fergal, the incumbent, the Irish Guards have a new

mascot, named Clonmel. He made his debut at Trooping the Colour on 13 June, 2009.

PEACETIME HEROES

RESCUE DOGS

During the earthquake disasters in Nepal 2015 the Essex Fire and Rescue were deployed and first to

arrive was the team from Colchester. Above is rescue dog D’Arcy and his handler John Ball

SNIFFER DOGS

These dogs are used by the Border Agency to root out both drugs and explosives.

POSTSCRIPT

It is hoped that this short book gives the reader a better appreciation of the creatures we

share this planet with. If it caused the odd tear know that toughened war veterans openly

wept when they lost their animal comrade.

The book is published FREE.

COPYRIGHT PLEASE NOTE that we obtained special dispensation from a number of

agencies including the IWM, who have granted a non commercial licence for their material

used in this book. This was granted in view of the nature of the book being

commemorative rather than published for commercial reasons.

They also served: Animals in the war

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