AS GRATEFUL NATION REMEMBERS

LEST WE FORGET: Patrick, a therapy pony from Devon, and Kirk Petrakis remember those who fought and the many who never returned as well as animals that perished alongside them in the struggle to preserve freedoms we continue to enjoy in Britain today.

Service and sacrifice of animals is honoured too as our supporters unite to boost Animal Purple Poppy Fund

All over the country, in time of remembrance, supporters of The War Horse Memorial and their treasured pets wore purple poppies with pride in support of our Animal Purple Poppy Fund. We had been concerned about a possible loss of vital revenue due to the cost of living crisis. But we need not have worried. Backing has remained solid as people in the UK and beyond demonstrated they are as determined as ever to recognise the service and sacrifice of animals in wars.

Vets practices, schools, hospitals, shops and individual supporters requested boxes of pin badges and knitted purple poppies to sell to their staff, customers, friends and the general public.

Tributes were led by supporters in Ascot who laid wreaths at the foot of Poppy, our War Horse, a monument originally created to represent horses, mules and donkeys sent to the ‘Great War’ of 1914-18. She has evolved to stand in silent tribute to ALL animals who gave service and sacrifice, not only in World War l, but conflicts which have followed.

War Horse Memorial co-founder, Alan Carr MBE. third left, is pictured above with family, friends and supporters of our cause.

Across the country we have been heartened by the many ways you have shown support. Here are a few of the images you have sent us.

Serendipity, below right, is the purple poppy pin up boy this year at The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire. Now retired from The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, he has just become the latest member of out 100 Hero Horse club.

Representing East Sussex is an established member of our 100 Hero Horses. Dennis, above left, is the pride of Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, near Lewes. Born in 1998, the Irish draught cross arrived at Raystede in 2017. He had belonged to the same owner almost his entire life but developed debilitating condition navicular as he got older which caused him to be plagued with lameness. As you can see, Dennis has a gorgeous, striking chestnut coat and is a great hit with the visitors to the Centre. He is known as ‘the intuitive horse’ because he has become the ‘eyes’ of Ben, a Welsh cob pony who suffers from a condition known as Moon Blindness.

Tens of thousands of donkeys were sent to war and The Donkey Breed Society exists to promote the welfare, public education and care management of these wonderful animals. Here, above left, we have Olivia and her best friend Colin. On the right is Amelia and her purple poppy wreath with Mr Frosty and Dandy. For more information on the work of the Donkey Breed Society contact Carol Morse via email by clicking here

In Northamptonshire, sisters Zahra and Sophia Villiers contacted us through their mum, Stacey, wanting to sell our poppies at their school. Both girls, who attend Redwell Primary, in Wellingborough, wanted to do something to recognise what happened to animals in the two World Wars. Their teacher Miss Longland offered her support and the girls (pictured below with their friend Audrey) sold badges and poppies to fellow students. Sophia even took a box to her Brownie pack. In total they raised £269.51. They are so keen to get involved next year that we have made them junior Ambassadors.

Enterprising Esme (below) has been making wonderful bracelets, but as a keen animal lover she’s making the purple ones exclusively for us to support The Animal Purple Poppy Fund. Esme, nine and living in Durham, is selling her limited edition bracelets, which are made of two tone wooden beads for £5. If you would like to be the proud owner of one of Esme’s bracelets to support animals in need, please email susan@thewarhorsememorial.org

In Birmingham, the knitting circle at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital produced a display of a thousand red and purple poppies in the grounds outside the main entrance. This wonderful group is made up of patients and staff who meet regularly to knit and crochet. Mike (below) made a stunning horse out of offcuts of wood to form the backdrop. All the poppies are being sold with the proceeds going to The War Horse Memorial and the Royal British Legion.

In Mid Sussex, seven-year-old Ethan Dungate stood solemnly with dad, Sam, inset below, alongside the Royal British Legion representative and the Mayor of Haywards Heath before laying a wreath of knitted purple poppies. Ethan said afterwards he was a bit nervous but was glad to have taken part. Meanwhile, just a mile away, Woody, a Labrador Retriever, laid his own poppy tribute to the dogs who have given service and sacrifice in wars. Woody was assisted by War Horse Memorial co-founder Susan Osborne.

Last, but not least, In Cockington village, Devon, Patrick a therapy Shetland pony along with War Horse Memorial Ambassador Kirk Petrakis who both have a long relationship with The War Horse Memorial, made their own tribute to the fallen men and animals of the county. Patrick, see top of the page, looking resplendent in his purple cloak.

These are just a few examples of the many tributes made to remember animals who went to war alongside, like so many in the armed forces, and never came home.