Eumundi Voice - Issue 105, 31 October 2024

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day will be honoured in Eumundi on 11 November. Residents, visitors and local business are invited to assemble at 10.30am at the Eumundi Amphitheatre between Memorial Dr and Napier Rd. At 11am, one minute's silence will be observed and the church bell will be rung to mark the commemoration of the end of WWI. Visit: eumundihistoricalassn.org. See page 18.

Winnie-the-Pooh’s War

In 1914, Harry Colebourn – a Canadian army veterinarian – was heading to war on a troop train. At a stop in Ontario he came across a human-friendly bear cub that he bought for $20.

He named her Winnipeg – shortened to Winnie – after his hometown.

Winnie sailed to England with Harry and became the mascot of the Canadian Army Veterinarian Corps. When Harry was posted to France, he left Winnie at the London Zoo where she was renowned for her playfulness and gentleness.

One of Winnie’s fans was A A Milne’s son Christopher Robin, who changed the name of his teddy bear from Edward Bear to Winnie-thePooh. It inspired Milne to write some of the most beloved children’s stories in English literature. Rhonda Piggott

They also served

Among the red poppies for Remembrance Day will be a smattering of purple poppies to honour the faithful creatures who also served behind enemy lines, saving lives and boosting morale.

Among the Canadian troops on the SS Lapland heading to Western Front in WWI was Sgt Bill, a goat smuggled on board by his owner. Sgt

Bill was arrested twice for eating important documents and butting a superior officer. However, during the second battle of Ypres, despite being severely wounded himself, Sgt Bill saved the lives of three wounded men. He received numerous medals and commendations, survived the war and returned home with his owner. Sgt Bill’s preserved body proudly stands in Broadview Historical Museum in Saskatchewan, still wearing his military uniform.

Judy, a stray dog in Hong Kong, became the mascot of the Royal Navy vessel the HMS Gnat, before she and some of the crew transferred to HMS Grasshopper which was captured in 1941 by the Japanese. Judy was hidden from the prison camp guards by Aircraftsman Frank Williams who shared his daily rice ration with her. She was discovered when she attacked guards beating human prisoners and received her own cruel treatment.

However, the Japanese appreciated her keeping snakes, rats and even tigers away so she was officially listed as a POW. Frank was among prisoners being transferred by ship to Singapore, so he hid Judy in a rice sack until the ship was torpedoed. Over 500 men died but Frank pushed Judy out of a porthole.

Witnesses saw Judy helping non-swimmers

and wounded men to safety. Frank thought she had drowned but weeks later she reappeared, knocking him over in excitement. Her bones showed through but she and Frank survived excruciating marches through jungle laying railway tracks.

When liberated, Frank ensured Judy returned with him, smuggling her on the troop ship Antenor. For 6 weeks she lay quietly hidden. After quarantine she served alongside Frank on an Air Force base in England until her story leaked. She was awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

Wojtek – a bear – underwent training when his owner joined the Polish Artillery Corps, receiving rations including beer and cigarettes. In WWII he served in several battles in Italy, boosting morale and carrying ammunition and food supplies to his fellow soldiers. After the war he retired to Edinburgh Zoo where tourists adored him and many Polish army mates visited often.

The Animals in War Memorial in Park Lane, near London’s Hyde Park features a mule, a horse and a dog and is surrounded with purple poppies every year on 11 November. Eileen Walder