Representatives of the RSPCA will be attending Remembrance events on Sunday (November 10) to honour human and animal lives lost during the two World Wars and other conflicts.
The animal charity will – in the coming days – be taking time to reflect on the human and animal pain, distress and losses that have been caused through human conflict through the ages.
In its 200th anniversary year, the RSPCA will be remembering the millions of brave soldiers and animals who were sadly injured and killed. During the First World War, many RSPCA inspectors were called back to their old regiments to serve their country.
Around 256,000 animals trapped and injured in bombing raids during the Second World War were rescued by the charity’s frontline officers, who also organised fundraising to help animals used in war and to send veterinary supplies abroad.
The RSPCA will be attending Remembrance events on Sunday, including the National Service of Remembrance hosted by the Royal British Legion at the Cenotaph in London, where around 40 of the charity’s staff and volunteers will be marching led by former RSPCA and British Army officer Glenn Baird.
London-based Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Suzi Fothergill, for whom the annual remembrance event will be a poignant occasion, will hand the charity’s wreath to a representative of the Legion to lay near to the Cenotaph.
“I was keen to be a part of the parade because it is the 200th Anniversary of the RSPCA and I am so proud to work for them. I also realised that 2024 marks 80 years since the death of my great uncle, Wilfred Brydon Fothergill, who was a pilot in a Lancaster Bomber which was shot down during World War Two,” said Suzi.
“My great uncle is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Rheinberg in Germany. So I thought it would be so nice to do the wreath-laying this year.
“Our wreath will have a message dedicated to the people and animals who were lost during the wars.”
The RSPCA played a vital role in the First World War and the charity set up 13 animal hospitals to care for horses injured during service and provided over 200 animal ambulances. These were paid for by a fundraising campaign and many RSPCA staff members signed up to serve in the Royal Veterinary Corp.
Many animals were sent to serve alongside British troops in France and Belgium, including horses, mules, donkeys, dogs and even pigeons. At the height of the war, 1,000 horses a week were being sent to fight – with many losing their lives. Sadly, 18 RSPCA inspectors were also killed during the conflict.
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The RSPCA received a letter from General Haig in January 1919 expressing his gratitude for the charity’s help in treating sick and injured animals; a letter which is still in the charity’s possession today.
Recently, RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham created a video set to the haunting notes of the Last Post – to make sure animals which served in the wars are not forgotten.
Today the RSPCA continues to carry out life-saving frontline work, prevention and education work, and is still a major campaigning voice calling for better welfare for all animals – and each year the charity remembers the heroic people and animals who lost their lives in conflict.
RSPCA chief inspectorate officer Steve Bennett said: “The RSPCA is celebrating our 200th anniversary this year, and we feel justifiably proud of the bravery and dedication of those people who have gone before us – defending and protecting their fellow humans and animals, and we will always remember them.
“It is an honour to be part of the Remembrance commemorations and to represent the RSPCA, its history and how that has helped shape the lives many animals enjoy today.”
