Every year when I go to the New York State Fair in Syracuse NY, I always see an older gentleman selling red poppies. I would get one every year. One year there was an older gentleman selling forget-me-nots. They were different so I got it. The following year the gentleman with the red poppies was back and I asked where the forget-me-nots were. He told me in no uncertain terms that they represented different things and their donations were separate. Since that was all the explanation he was going to give me, I decided to do some research.
Forget-me-nots symbolize remembrance for wounded soldiers. Donations go toward supporting injured, ill, and disabled veterans, as well as their dependents.
Animals like horses, dogs and pigeons were often drafted into the war effort, and those that wear the purple poppy feel their service should be seen as equal to that of human service. In particular, many horses were killed or injured in World War One.
Animals were vital in WWI for transport (horses, mules), communication (pigeons, dogs), medical aid (dogs locating wounded), gas detection (canaries, slugs), and morale (mascots), filling roles machines couldn't, especially across difficult terrain, though millions suffered and died from combat, gas, and disease.
Key Roles of Animals
• Transport: Horses, mules, and donkeys hauled artillery, supplies (food, ammo, water), and wounded soldiers across muddy, shell-torn landscapes where vehicles struggled.
• Communication: Homing pigeons carried messages quickly when wires were down, while dogs helped lay communication lines.
• Medical: Dogs searched for wounded soldiers in no-man's-land, alerting medics with a silent signal like a raised tail or by finding them through scent.
• Detection: Canaries and even slugs (like the leopard slug) were used to detect poisonous gases, providing early warnings for soldiers.
• Pest Control: Dogs and cats were invaluable for hunting rats and mice in the trenches, protecting food supplies and preventing disease.
• Guard & Scout: Dogs sniffed out enemy soldiers, with trained scouts detecting them from far off and signaling silently to avoid detection.
• Morale & Companionship: Dogs, cats, and other mascots provided comfort and boosted morale for soldiers facing harsh conditions.
Animals faced the same dangers as soldiers, dying from shellfire, gas, disease, and exhaustion, with over 8 million horses, mules, and donkeys perishing.
Gas masks for horses were often ineffective, as they couldn't breathe well enough to work and were useless against mustard gas.
How these animals served the war effort:
Equine
Horses, donkeys, and mules represented the most significant animal contribution to the war effort by far—it’s estimated that 5-6 million served in WWI.
Horses are best known for their service in the cavalry, galloping into battle on the front lines. Most notable, however, was their draught work—pulling heavy wagons of artillery, supplies, lumber, and injured soldiers. Heavy and light horses were used for different roles, but the Percheron exemplified the ideal draught horse for its strong neck and quarters, shorter legs and back, and intelligent, calm nature.
Mules are horse-donkey hybrids. Compared with horses, their hybrid qualities make them capable of doing more work on less food and more resilient against disease and injury. Mules were valued for their ability to traverse rough terrains, such as mountains and cliffsides.
Like mules, donkeys were also helpful in the mountains but could tolerate higher temperatures, and because of their smaller stature, they were commonly used in the trenches
Canine
Large breed dogs were also used for draught work; for example, the Belgian Mastiff, known for its superior strength, and the Maremma Sheepdog, capable of working in freezing cold mountains. German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Airedale Terriers were famous for carrying messages and medical supplies. Their superior senses of smell and hearing made them essential in search and rescue endeavors.
Medium breeds, such as Collies, carried messages and supplies and aided in search and rescue. Border Collies, for example, are very trainable, fast, and athletic, and because their coats are mostly black, they are almost invisible at night. When surrounded by the enemy, the Border Collie could escape and carry messages for help.
Rats were everywhere in the trenches, spreading disease and destroying supplies. The US Army utilized small mix-breed terriers as “ratters”, using their hunting nature to remove rodents from the trenches. Additionally, they provided much-needed companionship to the exhausted and overwhelmed men who would stay in the trenches for up to six days at a time.
Avian
Telephone communication wasn’t always possible during WWI, so pigeons stepped up as the next best thing. Pigeons can fly about 75mph and cover about 300 miles in a single trip. They were essential in carrying messages between command centers, the battlefield, and troops at sea. European and American forces employed an estimated 100,000 pigeons—their delivery success rate was 95%!
Ever heard the phrase “canary in a coal mine”? Canaries are 15 times more sensitive to gas than humans and, during WWI, were used to warn troops of the presence of gas before it could cause any adverse effects. Canaries and other songbirds were also often kept by soldiers as morale-boosting pets with their uplifting melodies.
Other animals served in the First World War, including cats, goats, and non-working dog breeds. Many of these animals were homeless, often displaced strays, and adopted by soldiers. Some performed tasks, but most were valued for their companionship, many becoming mascots.
Most notable mascots:
Dogs (Canines)
• Sergeant Stubby: A stray terrier mix, he became the most decorated dog of WWI, serving with the 102nd Infantry, detecting gas, locating wounded, and even capturing a German spy.
• Rags: A Parisian terrier who delivered messages and found wounded soldiers, becoming a celebrated mascot for the American First Division.
• Caesar: A Red Cross bulldog for the New Zealanders, trained to find wounded soldiers in No Man's Land.
Birds (Pigeons & Others)
• Cher Ami: A homing pigeon who delivered a crucial message from a trapped American battalion, saving over 190 men despite being shot and wounded.
• Jackie: A rooster who served as a mascot for the 2nd Divisional Signals Company.
• Cocky: A cockatoo mascot for Australian veterans in a Melbourne hospital, known for swearing and entertaining soldiers.
Other Notable Mascots
• Whiskey & Soda: Lion cubs serving the Lafayette Escadrille, a French air squadron with American volunteers.
• Tirpitz: A pig rescued from a German cruiser, who became the mascot of the British cruiser HMS Glasgow and was auctioned for charity post-war.
• Slugs: Used by the British Army as early warning systems, they would curl up or secrete mucus to alert soldiers to poison gas.
The purple poppy originated in the United Kingdom, first launched in 2006 by the charity Animal Aid to commemorate the millions of animals that served and died in conflicts like World War I, highlighting them as victims of war rather than just heroes.
Key Points:
• Creator: Animal Aid (UK charity) in 2006.
• Purpose: To remember animals (horses, dogs, pigeons, etc.) used in military service who were killed, injured, or traumatized in wars.
• Original Intent: To emphasize animals as victims of war, a contrast to the red poppy's focus on human soldiers, though the narrative often shifted to "animal heroes".
• Evolution: Animal Aid replaced the poppy with a purple paw symbol in 2015 to better convey the message of animal sacrifice.
• International Adoption: The concept has been adopted globally, with the War Horse Memorial in the UK leading the purple poppy appeal, and similar initiatives in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.
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