The purple poppy was created by the charity Animal Aid in 2006 as a way to commemorate animals which served in wars that had been forgotten victims.
Animal Aid is a British animal rights organization that was
founded in 1977. The group campaigns
peacefully against the consumption of animals as food and against animal
cruelty such as their use for medical research—and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle.
It also investigates and exposes animal abuse.
Some of Animal Aids campaigns include UK slaughterhouses,
commercial horse racing and game bird shooting.
The purple poppy is a symbol for The War Horse Museum
in the UK. It “pays tribute to the
nobility, courage, unyielding loyalty and immeasurable contribution these
animals played in giving us the freedom of democracy we all enjoy today, and
signifies the last time the horse would be used on a mass scale in modern
warfare.”
“The War Horse Memorial, which stands close to Ascot Racecourse, is the first national memorial dedicated to the millions of UK, Commonwealth & Allied horses, mules and donkeys lost during The Great War. As a legacy we use funds raised through our Animal Purple Poppy Fund to help animals in need today.”
This is their description of how they started:
“After four years of hard work and planning, Poppy, our war
horse, was unveiled to the public on June 8, 2018.
Watching on were hundreds of well-wishers and families of
old soldiers who fought in the Great War and who gave precious artefacts which
have been buried at the feet of the national monument.
Brownie Jess Edwards and Guides Nisha Watson, Katherine
Warner and Annice Anderson were chosen to remove Poppy’s giant purple mantle to
reveal her majesty and magnificence. She was flanked by Chelsea Pensioners
splendid in their scarlet coats, trumpeters from the Household Cavalry Band and
flag bearers from the Royal Artillery and Life Guards.
Afterwards, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr James
Puxley, laid a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. Others were placed at
the base of the memorial by many organizations and individuals, including
representatives from America, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand as well as
the Royal British Legion.
The final wreath, made up of purple poppies, was laid by
co-founders of the War Horse Memorial, Alan Carr and Susan Osborne, to signify
the intention to use the flowers to raise monies for chosen equine and military
charities. Poppy will stand for all time as a reminder of the service and
sacrifice made in the First World War by millions of horses, mules and donkeys
to help secure the freedom and democracy we all enjoy today.”
Also using the purple poppy is the Australian War Animal
Memorial Organization. It “was founded
to honour the untold stories of animals who have served alongside humans
throughout history.
From the 400,000 horses sent to World War I – of which only one, General Bridges’ horse Sandy, returned – to the 11 Military Working Dogs left behind after the Vietnam War, animals have carried burdens, delivered messages, provided protection, and offered companionship in times of conflict.
In more recent times, Military Working Dogs have served in
Afghanistan detecting explosives, while equines continue to transport supplies
in difficult terrain. Mascots, too, remain a vital part of regimental identity
and morale within the Australian Defense Force (ADF).”
Please check out both websites. They have a great amount of information and
photos.
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