A new temporary exhibition is due to open in Chester shortly to commemorate the role of animals in war.
From 7th November, the special display – at the Cheshire Military Museum – will include a cascade of purple poppies which are the symbol of remembrance for animals lost in service.
The exhibition will honour the role of animals and birds in the two world wars and in more recent conflicts.
It will include the stories of horses, donkeys, mules, dogs and pigeons as told through writing, poetry, artwork and artefacts.
The museum, in Castle Square, will host the purple Richmond Poppies made by crafters from Richmond in Yorkshire, which have been mounted onto Army camouflage netting from nearby Catterick.
They will remain on display until January as part of a collection on loan to Cheshire Military Museum by The Donkey Breed Society.
It is the final leg of the collection’s tour of three military museums in the north of England – which also included York Army Museum and Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life.
Sarah Booth, secretary of the northern region of The Donkey Breed Society said: “We are honouring, in this exhibition at Chester, the estimated 16 million animals that took part in World War One.
“Their versatility, adaptability and bravery were astonishing. Animals were also used in World War Two.
“In more recent conflicts, explosives detection and search and rescue dogs have also been deployed.”
Preparations for the exhibition included a visit to a school in Alsager, where Missy the donkey met pupils at Highfields Primary School to help them learn about animals in war and the roles they played.
Caroline Chamberlain, Cheshire Military Museum’s curator, said: “We have been collecting some amazing anecdotes, shared by the public, and building an interesting picture of the bravery displayed by animals in war.
“We have been working on this new exhibition for some time and it is fantastic to see it come to life with contributions from many supporters.
“We thank them and would encourage everyone to come and find out more about the roles played by these animals and others and why it is so important that we remember the sacrifices that were made.”
The exhibition can be visited Thursday to Sunday throughout November and December, with school visits on Tuesday and Wednesdays.
On 16th November, there will be donkeys at the museum for a family fun day.
Special knitting and crochet poppy kits will also be available in the museum shop for people to create their own poppies.
