Purple poppy day

Remembering animals in war

Purple Poppy day is recognised internationally on the 24 February, acknowledging service animals, particularly those that gave their lives in conflict. It is estimated that more than 16 million animals served during WW1 and more than eight million animals died. Over 20,000 dogs served Britain and her allies, 500,000 cats served in the trenches on the Western Front as there was serious problems with rats and mice. The cats also detected gas. More than 100,000 pigeons served in WW1 and 200,000 in WW2. Between 1914 -1916 the NZ Government acquired more than 10,000 horses to serve in German Samoa, Gallipoli, the Middle East and on the Western Front. More than 4,000 were draught horses used for artillery and transport tasks. Only four horses were repatriated from France to England in March 1919 and subjected to 12 months quarantine. They arrived back in New Zealand in July 1920.

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