REMEMBRANCE GATHERING AT THE ANIMALS IN WAR MEMORIAL
Event organizer Angela Yardley from Greyhound Rescue West of England gave the opening welcome.
At 11am the 2 minute silence was observed, then poetry and moving readings were given by two of the mounted officers, followed by: Clarissa Baldwin OBE- CEO of the Dogs Trust, Wing Commander David Bills, from the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, Julie Toben a Trustee from Cats Protection, Philip Breeden, from the American Embassy talking of the donkeys and mules currently serving in Afghanistan, Julie Taylor Radcliffe on behalf of the Margaret Barker Wreath (dedicated to war animals) and Major Melissa Bowerman from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
"The Words on the Memorial read ‘They had no choice' - nor can they speak for themselves," said Emma. "They serve in silence and deserve our respect, gratitude and above all, remembrance."
Charities and Organisations Represented
Clarissa Baldwin OBE- CEO Dogs Trust
Wing Commander David Bills General Manager Royal Pigeon Racing Association
Freddie Bircher - Chairman PDSA
Major Melissa Bowerman - Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Philip Breeden - Press Officer American Embassy
Adrian Cawdery - Manager Lluest Horse & Pony Trust
Charlotte Fiander - Deputy Director of Communications Battersea Dog & Cats Home
Emma Kurrels - Founder Voices for Horses
Captain Mike Fry - Household Cavalry Blues and Royals
David Green - Regimental Secretary Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Kim Hamilton - Chief Executive Blue Cross
Brigadier Paul Jepson - Chief Executive The Horse Trust
Major Ian Kelly -Director of International Training & Affiliates World Horse Welfare
Nicola Markwell -Communications Manager Redwings Horse Sanctuary
Major Chris Stewardson - Governor General's Horse Guards (Canada)
Martin Taggart - Director of Welfare The Donkey Sanctuary
Julie Toben - Trustee Cats Protection
Jerry Watkins - Animal Welfare Manager Horse World
Tim Wass - Chief Inspector RSPCA
Angela Yardley - Joint event orgaizer and Founder Greyhound Rescue West of England
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Captain Mike Fry read an excerpt taken from Animals in War by Jilly Cooper
My Kingdom for a Horse
[...........The land they had to cross was a vast honeycomb of huge craters filled with thick fetid mud. These craters often interlocked and were so deep, that if a shell landed in one, it was several seconds before it hit the bottom, detonated and spewed forth a fountain of burning metal and poisonous slime. Over this fearful network of death traps, the wretched teams floundered, desperately groping for firm ground, often at dead of night and through blizzard and storm. If a horse shied at a shell bursting overhead, or collapsed from exhaustion under his heavy load or merely took a false step, he'd be in a shell hole in a second, slithering down the greasy sides. His driver would make heroic attempts to rescue him, but there was always a risk that the rest of the team might be sucked under too so a bullet through the head was usually the most the horse could hope for.
Mr Sydney Smith, a private on the Somme remembered;
"Nothing as far as the eye could see except waves rippling the mud as the wind blew, I had the terrible experience to witness three horses and six men disappear completely under the mud. It was a sight that will live forever in my memory, the cries of the trapped soldiers were indescribable, as they struggled to free themselves. The last horse went to a muddy grave, keeping his nostrils above the slush until the last second. A spurt of mud told me it was all over."  |
Major Christopher M. Stewardson read
The Soldier's Kiss by War Poet Henry Chappell (1874 -1937)
Only a dying horse! Pull off the gear,
And slip the needless bit from frothing jaws,
Drag it aside there, leave the roadway clear
The battery thunders on with scarce a pause.
Prone by the shell-swept highway there it lies
With quivering limbs as fast the life tide fails,
Dark films are closing o'er the faithful eyes
That mutely plead for aid where none avails.
Onward the battery roll, but one there speeds
Heedless of comrade's voice or bursting shell,
Back to the wounded friend who lonely bleeds
Beside the stony highway where it fell.
Only a dying horse! He swiftly kneels,
Lifts the limp head and hears the shivering sigh
Kisses his friend. While down his cheek there steals
Sweet pity's tear; ‘Goodbye Old Man, Goodbye'
No honours wait him, Medal, Badge or Star,
Though scarce could war a kindlier deed unfold;
He bears within his breast, more precious far
Beyond the gift of Kings, a heart of gold.
We would like to thank Simon Pearce of Westminster City Council and Roger S. Smith of the Metropolitan Police for their advice and support.
This gathering was jointly organized by Emma Kurrels founder of Voices for Horses and Angela Yardley founder of Greyhound Rescue West of England www.grwe.com
Photograph copyright waynejonesphotography.com
Read about the Animals in War Memorial Here http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk
For further information about the gathering please contact:
Emma Kurrels 08452 242452 or email emma@voicesforhorses.co.uk
| Related Article |
| My Kingdom for a Horse |
Added on: 13/11/09.
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