Work in progress…
This is Rip.
The following words were posted by findmypast UK on Facebook in September:
“Rip” was found after a 1940 bombing raid and became an unofficial rescue dog after befriending the local air raid warden. Over the years he saved more than 100 lives by finding survivors in wreckage, receiving a medal for his efforts.
When he died in 1946, his headstone was inscribed simply with ‘We also serve’.
There was a report on the BBC Today programme in the week of October 7 about what happened to many animals in the last world war – Bonzo’s War. Please see the link below.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24478532
This poster – also available from QCA as a postcard – commemorates the animal victims of war, past and present. It is a collaborative work by the children of Warrington Meeting and Ann Johnson.
This is Janet with her friend Cloud from north Wales. You will see that Cloud is already wearing his purple poppy. Millions of his kind have been sacrificed in wars worldwide, especially in World War 1.
Animals: the forgotten victims of war – by Ann Johnson.
Quaker Concern for Animals believes that the concept and practice of non-violence towards human animals should be extended to all animals. For this reason, QCA is encouraging friends to consider marking the suffering and death of non-human animals as a result of warfare.
Along with the desperate loss of human life, millions of military, farmed and domestic animals have died and continue to suffer through war.
Animals are also casualties of weapons research. ln the UK alone, an estimated 20,000 animals are killed each year in arms, biological and chemical weapons experiments. Animals used include sheep, goats, pigs, mice, rats, guinea pigs, monkeys, dogs and cats.
To mark this suffering and death, Friends, including members of Quaker Concern for Animals, will be laying wreaths of purple poppies at town war memorials around the UK on Remembrance Day, 10 November. This simple and peaceful action of contributing a circle of purple poppies to the many red wreaths is a powerful way to raise awareness of animal suffering.
Anyone is allowed to lay a wreath at a war memorial after the official Remembrance Day parade and service, however if you wish to take part in the formal event you will need to apply for permission through the organizers – contact the local council.
lf your Meeting, or an individual Friend, would like to lay a wreath these, together with single purple poppies, can be purchased from Animal Aid.
Animal Aid has also produced the informative leaflet Remembering the Animal Victims of War .
Contact them at www.animalaid.org.uk
T:017J2 364546.
Further information from – Sussex East Area Meeting QCA correspondent Ann Johnson: ann.john377@btinternet.com
Thanks for letting us know about Rip, Derek.