So what is the meaning of purple poppies?
The following quote appears on the Auckland War Memorial Museum website:
To commemorate the deeds and sacrifices of all animals in war, the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) has issued a purple poppy, which can be worn alongside the traditional red one, as a reminder that both humans and animals have and continue to serve. AWAMO is a not for profit organisation run by volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring these animals are remembered.
The purple poppy was first introduced by Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation in 2013.
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| Two different purple poppy badges produced by Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation. Kindly lent by Graeme Cash |
In 2016 the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation opened Australia's first international war animal monument in Pozieres, France.
When war broke out in 1914, Bess (whose former name was Zelma) was donated to the Government for military action. She was paired with Captain Charles Guy Powles. They served together in the Middle East. At the end of the war, Bess was repatriated to England and undertook twelve months quarantine before returning to New Zealand in 1920. Bess and Powles eventually settled at Flock House and that was where Bess lived out her days and eventually died in 1934. She was buried on land there and a monument was erected.
When war broke out in 1914, Bess (whose former name was Zelma) was donated to the Government for military action. She was paired with Captain Charles Guy Powles. They served together in the Middle East. At the end of the war, Bess was repatriated to England and undertook twelve months quarantine before returning to New Zealand in 1920. Bess and Powles eventually settled at Flock House and that was where Bess lived out her days and eventually died in 1934. She was buried on land there and a monument was erected.
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| Bess, free of her saddle at last. Photo courtesy of Terry Kinloch. Thanks to Susan Brocker |
Each year, after the ANZAC service at Bulls, a memorial service is held at the monument.
Bess was one of only four horses who returned to New Zealand from World War One, of the close to 10,000 horses that served. A group of knitters in Bulls, create purple poppies which are displayed at the service to remember the horses and other animals who did not return.
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| Memorial to Bess. Thanks to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. The memorial is on private land and not accessible to the public. |
Rotorua had one known soldier who served in World War One as a Field Artillery driver. Cecil Henry Goodson, as a driver, was in charge of caring for the horses . Unfortunately, Cecil did not come home, dying on 5th September 1918 in France aged 20. In 2018, Jared Lewis entered the following artwork using the soldier profile of Cecil Henry Goodson in the Museum's Art of Remembering competition for which he won an Excellence in Art Award.
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| Cecil Henry Goodson and horse. Thanks to Jared Lewis |
Another famous World War One character was Caesar, a bulldog who was the mascot of the 4th Battalion (A Company) New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Caesar was a Red Cross dog, trained to look for wounded Allied soldiers. His owner and handler was Tom Tooman. Tom survived the war, but unfortunately Caesar was shot and died while helping a wounded New Zealand soldier. Caesar's official collar, misspelt as "Ceaser" is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. On 27 February 2019 the National Army War Museum in Waiouru awarded Caesar the Blue Medal. This is an award for bravery and Caesar is the first recipient.
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| Caesar. Image permission kindly provided by Patricia Stroud. 'Caesar, the Anzac dog', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/caesar-the-anzac-dog, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 11-Jun-2019 |
The library holds a variety of material featuring animals and humans working together in times of war. Below are some recommended reads:
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| Children's Illustrated Work STR |
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| Children's Fiction BRO |
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| Children's Illustrated Work BEC |
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| YA Fiction KIW |
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| 1st floor DVD Collection 940.426 ANZ |
Here in Rotorua, our group of Wacky Warmers who meet weekly at the Library, have created all the knitted purple poppies. We are very thankful to Lorraine and the other ladies.
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| Purple poppies created by the Wacky Warmers knitting group who meet weekly at Te Aka Mauri |
This blog was written by Trish. Thanks to Heritage New Zealand, Patricia Stroud, Susan Brocker, Rotorua Museum, Jared Lewis, Terry Kinloch and the Rotorua Wacky Warmers.
For further information about different and additional animals who served alongside our forces please visit the following websites:
www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/Mascots
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/mascots/first-world-war-mascots
https://www.armymuseum.co.nz/mans-best-friend/
