Purple poppies for war horses
IN a low-key ceremony at the Horse Memorial yesterday, the SA Legion and Animal Anti-Cruelty League attached a purple poppy to the famous statue in honour of animals that died during conflicts around the world.
At the same time, it was announced the legion would be assisting the Animal Anti-Cruelty League to use the purple poppies for future fundraising events from next year.
“This is an absolutely fabulous concept, and honouring the horses and other animals that died during the war recognises that animals give their lives in many situations,” Animal AntiCruelty League spokeswoman Linda-Louise Swain said.
“We have current situations where dogs get shot protecting their police partners, so it’s honouring all those animals who have given their lives for [people].
“We hope to be working with the legion next year to do fundraising and putting awareness out there.”
During the unveiling ceremony in February 1905, Harrier Meyer, the key mover in the drive to have the Horse Memorial erected, said: “May it be preserved from generation to generation as a mark of the services of dumb animals to mankind, both in the labours of peace and in the perils of war.”
Captain Terry Pattison, an executive committee member of the Port Elizabeth branch of the SA Legion, suggested the purple poppy at a recent legion meeting.
“I thought it would be very nice if we remembered the animals,” he said.
“There is a purple poppy especially for working animals killed in conflict and while we can’t put one on everybody’s dogs [or] horses, we can put one on the Horse Memorial.”
The famous statue dates back to just after the South African War of 1899-1902, in which thousands of animals died. Port Elizabeth was the main port of entry for remounts for the British forces, and because of this residents were very aware of the suffering endured by the horses and mules.
“We feel it right and proper to honour and celebrate the supreme sacrifices made by [animals] in defence of democracy and the triumph of right and decency over tyranny,” legion national vice-president Brian Klopper said.
“We are talking about the sacrifice made – horses, mules, war dogs, even carrier pigeons, whose love for their handlers was unconditional.
“Their willingness to lay down their lives for those handlers was unequivocal.
“We also remember the animals which are with us today in a purely civilian context, who often end up being maltreated either by accident or by design.
“It will be our privilege and our honour to work with the Animal Anti-Cruelty League to ensure that sort of thing is diminished, if not stopped altogether,” Klopper said.
Their willingness to lay down their lives for those handlers was unequivocal