Rustington honours the animal victims of war

The purple wreath was placed by animal lovers Jane Brennan, Jacqueline Burlison, Jean Etherington and Susan Phelps at the memorial, in Ash Lane, on Friday.

Jane, of Mill Lane, Rustington, said: “While rightly remembering the bravery of the men who fought and fell in the First World War, the importance of the animals who were taken into war and relied upon, who suffered and often died next to the military personnel, should also never be forgotten.

“Over eight million horses, mules and donkeys died on all sides and of the millions sent to war by the allied forces, only 62,000 returned. Over 53,000 dogs also played a variety of vital roles, not forgetting the 100,000 pigeons who had a 95 per cent success rate at getting messages through, despite often being severely injured.”

Conditions for all the animals, she added, were ‘appalling’. “They often died from wounds, starvation, thirst, exhaustion, disease and exposure and their gallantry in a war they had no part in starting should always be remembered with gratitude.”

Animal Aid introduced purple poppies in 2006 to remember and raise awareness of the animal ‘victims of war’ caught up in human conflict.

Jane said she was pleased that the new memorial in Rustington, which also features a soldier and a wooden cross, like the horse’s head both carved in wood, honoured animals. “The carvings are beautiful. It’s marvellous that they remember the horse alongside the soldier.”

Purple poppies can be bought from Animal Aid, call 01732 364549 or see the website www.animalaidshop.org.uk