As Remembrance Day approaches, the staff at TheRockies.Life feels like it’s a fitting time to recognize the remarkable contributions of animals during both World Wars.
Side by side with soldiers, they served as messengers, mascots, transporters, and morale lifters, bringing invaluable support in humble and extraordinary ways.
Let’s look at what animals did for us, especially our Canadian furred and featured veterans, and let us not forget their sacrifices.
Horses, Mules, Camels, Goats, and Elephants
These working animals were extensively used for transportation and labour. They carried food, water, ammunition, and medical supplies to soldiers at the front lines. These animals were often more effective in rugged terrains like mountains and jungles than motorized vehicles. Horses were used extensively in WWI and suffered extensively, with most of them dying on the battlefield.
Warrior – a War Hero
One of the most celebrated Canadian horses of WW1 was Warrior.
When war erupted in 1914, Warrior journeyed with his owner, Captain Jack Seely, alongside the British Expeditionary Force to the heart of the conflict. Warrior repeatedly proved to symbolize courage and endurance for the men, surviving some of the war’s deadliest encounters. At the Battle of the Somme, in the hellish trenches of Ypres, and even after being buried alive in debris during the bombardment at Passchendaele, Warrior emerged unscathed. Twice, he escaped from burning stables, defying all odds.
In March 1918, Warrior and Captain Seely rode at the head of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in the final grand cavalry charge of the war at Moreuil Wood. The casualties were staggering, with a quarter of the men and half of the horses lost, yet Warrior emerged again, uninjured. Soldiers around him were in awe; he became known as “the horse the Germans could not kill,” a living legend among the troops whose spirit bolstered their own in the bleakest of times.
The warrior returned home and lived to the grand old age of 33. Eight million horses and mules died in the First World War.
In 2014, one hundred years after the Great War began, Warrior was posthumously awarded the honourary Dickin Medal. The prestigious medal, established by Maria Dickin, founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), honours acts of extraordinary bravery by animals in times of conflict. It was a fitting tribute to a hero whose courage under fire and unbreakable spirit inspired everyone who knew him.
Did You Know? Sergeant Bill, a WWI goat, saved three of his comrades in arms (soldiers) by head-butting them into a trench before a shell exploded where seconds before they had just stood.
Pigeons
Pigeons played a vital role in communication, carrying messages across enemy lines. These feathered heroes could navigate dangerous skies and deliver crucial information faster than ground or radio communications, especially in WWI. In WWII, the British military used over 200,000 homing pigeons. Some pigeons even had cameras strapped to their chests to take aerial reconnaissance photographs as the bird flew over enemy territory. This was back when cameras were bulky and heavy!
Beachcomber – WWII Carrier Pigeon
Beachcomber served with the Canadian Forces during the intense Dieppe raid on the French coast in August 1942. As soon as the battle commenced, Canadian soldiers sent Beachcomber skyward to carry critical news back to England, announcing their initial success in landing at Dieppe. Although the raid ultimately ended in tragedy for the Canadians—resulting in 907 soldiers lost and 1,946 taken prisoner—Beachcomber completed his journey against incredible odds. He flew through fierce aerial combat and evaded German efforts to intercept him. In recognition of his bravery and vital contribution, Beachcomber was awarded the prestigious Dickin Medal in 1944.
Did You Know? Silkworms were used to provide the silk used for the crosshairs in gun sighting optics and for the production of parachutes. The silken fabrics made of their threads were lightweight, tear-resistant, water-repellent and essentially fireproof.
Bears
Unbelievably, bears also played a role in the wars.
For example, there is Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear adopted by Polish soldiers who helped transport ammunition during the Battle of Monte Cassino in World War II. But perhaps the most famous ‘war bear’ of all time was Winnie, a Canadian-bred bear.
Winnie – The Bear
The most beloved Canadian mascot of World War I began as an orphaned black bear cub, discovered by a trapper and later sold to a soldier named Harry Colebourn in White River, Manitoba. Colebourn, a Canadian-born British veterinarian, was on his way from Winnipeg to Valcartier to prepare for deployment to Europe with the Canadian forces. He served initially with the Mounted Rifles as a militia officer before joining the 34th cavalry regiment, Fort Garry Horse. Naming the bear “Winnie” after his hometown of Winnipeg, Colebourn brought the cub along as the regiment’s mascot, and Winnie even slept beneath his cot.
When his regiment was sent to France, Colebourn decided to leave Winnie in the care of the London Zoo for safekeeping. While Colebourn worked behind the lines, tending to war animals like horses throughout numerous Western Front battles, Winnie became a beloved attraction in the zoo, drawing visitors from far and wide. Among them was young Christopher Robin Milne, who was so enchanted by the bear that he named his teddy “Winnie-the-Pooh.” This bond between Christopher Robin and his bear would inspire his father, A.A. Milne, to create the timeless tales Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Though Winnie never saw battle herself, her story and spirit lived on, becoming a cherished part of history.
Did You Know? During World War I, British soldiers in the trenches used glowworms in jars to read maps and documents at night without drawing enemy fire.
Dogs
It should come as no surprise that dogs played a crucial role in the wars. Their roles ranged from carrying messages to detecting bombs, guarding soldiers, carrying medical supplies, locating missing soldiers, and providing companionship. There are so many heroic dogs—34 have been awarded the Dickin Medal—that choosing one story to highlight is difficult. But below is one of our favourite Canadian war dog heroes.
Gander – The Ultimate Sacrifice
Gander was a Newfoundland dog born and raised on the airbase in Gander, Newfoundland. As he matured, he was entrusted to the Royal Rifles of Canada Regiment stationed at the base, quickly winning their hearts and becoming their beloved mascot. Promoted to Sergeant, Gander accompanied the regiment when deployed to Hong Kong in 1941 to defend against enemy forces. His role included barking and snapping at the enemy, helping to intimidate them, and he was regarded as one of the soldiers.
During a critical moment in the war, Sergeant Gander saved seven wounded soldiers’ lives. An enemy grenade landed near the men, and without hesitation, Gander grabbed it and carried it away, sacrificing his life to protect his comrades. The men never forgot their brave companion who had laid down his life for them. In honour of his heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal – the first Canadian animal to receive this distinction. Today, his medal is preserved and displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Did You Know? One cat has been awarded the Dickin Medal. Simon was a ship’s cat who served on the Royal Navy sloop-of-war HMS Amethyst. During his service, Simon was awarded the medal for raising morale and killing off a rat infestation.
From the loyal Sergeant Gander to the resilient Warrior, these courageous creatures remind us that true heroism knows no boundaries, not even species. Their sacrifices and those of the soldiers they served remain a testament to the bond between humans and animals in times of peace and conflict. Remember these unsung heroes and ensure their stories continue to inspire future generations
