Purple Poppy Day: A Tribute to the Forgotten Heroes with Fur and Feathers
Every year on February 24, we observe Purple Poppy Day to honour the brave animals who served in times of conflict. It is a day to reflect on their immense contributions to our history and society. In addition to the traditional red poppy worn on Armistice Day, the purple poppy commemorates the animals that died during wars. It is a unique way to remember their sacrifice and recognise their importance.
Origin and Symbolism
Australia has officially joined other countries, such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand, in recognising the contributions and sacrifices made by animals that served alongside soldiers during wars. The government established a special day of remembrance for these war animals. Purple Poppy Day is dedicated to honouring the horses, messenger pigeons, and dogs who have bravely served on the front lines. The purple poppy symbolises the often-overlooked contributions of these animals. It also aims to raise awareness of their vital role in military operations.
Animals in War
Throughout history, animals have played a significant role in warfare. Camels were used to transport people and equipment. Some were even used as ambulances with stretchers called ‘cacolets’ attached to their saddles. Horses were employed for cavalry charges, transporting soldiers, pulling artillery, and carrying the wounded from the battlefield. Dogs served as messengers, sentinels, and even companions to soldiers in the trenches.
Pigeons were used to deliver crucial messages across enemy lines. Rats, dolphins, sea lions, cats, canaries, and glow worms have also been trained or employed in different ways during wars. Rats detect mines, dolphins, and sea lions protect harbours. Cats hunt rats; canaries detect poisonous gases and glow worms illuminate communications and maps.
Animal casualties
During WWI, horses at the front were subjected to dangerous conditions. These included being killed by rifle and artillery fire, skin disorders, diseases, and injuries from poison gas. Hundreds of thousands of horses died while others received treatment at veterinary hospitals before being sent back to the front.
Eight million horses, donkeys, and mules died during WWI. Three-quarters of them succumbed to the extreme working conditions. There is no definitive answer regarding how many equines were killed in WW2, but estimates range between two to five million. During the Battle of Verdun in 1916, 7000 horses were lost in a single day due to long-range shelling. One single shot from a French naval gun killed Ninety-seven horses.
The use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War had devastating effects on the wildlife population. The U.S. military used herbicides to clear forest cover. In the process, they destroyed the habitats of various species, such as tigers, Asian elephants, gibbons, civets, leopards, and many others. In the 20 years after the war, an estimated 40,000 animals were killed by unexploded landmines.
Australian Warhorses
During World War I, Australia sent 136,000 horses overseas to assist the British imperial armies. Of those, 82,000 were shipped to India and another 10,000 to France with the infantry in 1916. The remaining 29,348 were shipped to the Middle East. These horses became a vital resource for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.
Warhorse welfare
Warhorse welfare played a significant role during WWI. In total, veterinarians treated 2.5 million horses, of which two million were successfully treated and returned to the battlefield. A typical horse hospital could treat up to 2,000 animals simultaneously. However, cleaning a horse and its harness could be taxing and time-consuming, taking up to 12 hours.
The veterinarians not only treated physically exhausted and injured horses but also horses with mental distress. They observed that well-bred horses were more susceptible to shell shock. They were also more affected by the sights and sounds of battle than their less refined counterparts. The latter could be trained to take cover and lie down at the sound of artillery fire.
Only One came back
At the end of the war, there were 9,751 horses that belonged to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) which needed to be taken care of. When the AIF started demobilisation, they had to decide what to do with these horses. Out of all these horses, only one named Sandy was returned back to Australia. Sandy was lucky to have been picked by Major General Sir William Bridges, the Commander of the 1st Australian Division, as his favourite charger because of his gentle nature.
Coincidentally, Major Bridges, who was fatally shot at Gallipoli, was the only one of 60,000 Australians who died on overseas battlefields in the First World War to be returned home. His grave is on the slope of a hill above Duntroon, the Canberra military academy he founded. Sandy, the only horse to be returned home, lived out his days after the war at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s west.
Disposing of the Horses
Repatriating the horses to Australia was quickly ruled out, partly because of the disease threat they posed to Australia’s livestock industry. More pressing for the government was returning them would cost more than the horses were worth
The government decided to sell the horses to locals in France, Belgium, and Britain. This decision would recoup some money for the AIF and assist with post-war reconstruction. The sales of Australian horses occurred throughout 1919. But only after ensuring that French and Belgian butchers would not take the horses for meat.
Horse’s by-products were also considered valuable. As a result, their manes and tails were shorn, and their shoes were removed. The horses were then taken to chosen locations near their camps. There, veterinary officers supervised the process of shooting them with pistols. After being shot, the horses were gutted, and their skins were salted, as they were also considered valuable.
Poziers War Animal Memorial
The Pozieres War Animal Memorial started as a small project to open a monument in the heart of the WWI battlefields. However, it soon attracted the attention of other countries. Since then, it has become an international war animal memorial for all nations.
The dedication ceremony was attended by Dr Brendan Nelson, Dr Harry Cooper, ADF officials, and senior political and defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., and France. The monument is maintained year-round by French locals who do not wish to forget the sacrifice made by Australians and our war animals.
Dogs of War
Military working dogs have played a crucial role in the safety and efficiency of Coalition troops in the war in Afghanistan. The dogs are trained in detecting explosives and illegal drugs, finding missing comrades, and targeting enemy combatants. Behind the lines, they provide emotional support as therapy dogs. They also perform crucial services as service dogs and remain loyal companions to their handlers. However, like the ground troops, these dogs face the same risks and dangers on the battlefield. These risks often result in injuries or death.
Supporting Animal Welfare
Wearing the purple and red poppy honours the bravery of humans and animals who served together. The funds raised from donations and sales establish memorials and support soldiers with post-traumatic stress by training support animals. Additionally, they pay for the care of war animals who have retired from service due to illness, injury, or old age after active service.
Purple Poppy Day is a poignant reminder of the silent sacrifices made by animals in the theatre of war. As we wear the purple poppy, we honour their contributions and commit ourselves to ensuring animals’ well-being in our communities. This day serves as a bridge between the past and the present. It fosters an appreciation for the enduring partnership between humans and animals in the face of adversity.