15 pictures of our furry, feathery and fluffy friends who all played a part in the war effort
 |
WAGGING THEIR TALES WITH PRIDE
Dogs like these were employed to help pull heavy machine guns. Both are wearing German caps, souvenirs seized from the enemy soldiers who had been made prisoners in the neighbourhood of Antwerp.
|
 |
CANINE OVER THE TOP
Dogs were regularly used to take messages back and forth on the Front Line, and could also be fitted with apparatus for laying telephone wires too, amongst many other uses.
|
 |
CARRYING MESSAGES FROM THE TRENCHES
Messages were tied to the collars of specially trained dogs who then relayed them between the trenches.
|
 |
A FRENCH RED CROSS DOG
Being put through his paces here, and managing to scale a six foot high wall, is a French Red Cross dog. They were used to locate wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
|
 |
A BRITISH CAVALRY SCOUT
Animals who helped in the way effort - either by working or simply boosting morale - were well cared for. This horse had a slight injury but was impeccably bandaged by her owner.
|
 |
A BRITISH CAVALRY SCOUT
Animals who helped in the way effort - either by working or simply boosting morale - were well cared for. This horse had a slight injury but was impeccably bandaged by her owner.
|
 |
DOGS WERE USED ON THE HOME FRONT TOO
Dogs were used for domestic purposes at home, like this one who collected donations for the Red Cross by carrying a container for coins around his neck.
|
 |
SLEDGE DOG TEAMS
These Italian troops used teams of dogs to pull sledges - useful for carrying wounded soldiers.
|
 |
THIRSTY WORK FOR A CAMEL
Camel-mounted troops were used in the desert campaigns throughout the war. This Anzac Australian soldier is giving his hard-working hump backed friend a drink of water from a chattu vase.
|
 |
EGYPTIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
As well as being as strong as horses, camels can famously travel long distances without needing to stop for water, incredibly useful during war.
|
 |
CARTING THE SICK AND WOUNDED
A cartload of wounded soldiers are carried by horse power. And in return the military authorities tried to ensure that animal handlers cared for their war animals properly.
|
 |
MASCOT FOR MORALE
Animals were not only used for work. Dogs - like this one pictured - as well as cats, and more unusual animals including monkeys, bears and lions, were kept as pets and mascots to raise morale and provide comfort amidst the hardships of war.
|
 |
MASCOT FOR MORALE
Animals were not only used for work. Dogs - like this one pictured - as well as cats, and more unusual animals including monkeys, bears and lions, were kept as pets and mascots to raise morale and provide comfort amidst the hardships of war.
|
 |
PUPPY LOVE
A puppy licks the hand of one of the men who operated the transport to get food to the Army.
|
 |
STANDING TO ATTENTION
A soldier trains a dog to stand to attention and follow orders - much like the men themselves.
|
