War Animals Memorial

The Australian War Animal Memorial Organization (AWAMO) established the first international animal memorial in July 2016 at Pozieres near the (Windmill – Pozieres Ridge). (Photo 1)

Pozieres was chosen because an enormous number of animals died there during the fighting on the Somme.
It is estimated that about 9,000,000 farm animals died or disappeared during the fighting in World War I.
Animals were used for all kinds of assignments during the conflict.

A bronze horse "Emering Spirits" and a bronze dog "Faithfull Partner" represent all the animals of both sides from the 1st World War. (photo 2)
At the beginning of the war, horses were more often used by the cavalry as the conflict progressed more as beasts of burden.

In the horse's mane we find a Red Cross dog and a pigeon on one side, both the dog and the pigeon have a message capsule attached to their feet. (picture 3)
On the other side, a donkey and mule are depicted (photo 4). The donkey and mule were mainly used to carry heavy loads or transport the wounded.

The dog memorial bears a dog tag with the inscription "Our Spirits Live On". (photo 5)
Dogs were used for all kinds of jobs such as transporting groceries and supplies, delivering first aid, helping to search for the injured, discovering enemy soldiers and of course as a best friend in the trenches.

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