Animals and warfare

 AN

APPEAL FOR HUNDREDS OF PURPLE POPPIES TO BE KNITTED 

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Derbyshire County Council, Cllr Ed Fordham, will this year lay a purple poppy wreath at the formal Armistice service on 11th November at County Hall, Matlock.  Purple poppies emerged as the symbol for animals in 2006. Throughout history animals have both served in armed conflicts – this is especially true of horses – but also as victims of war and aggression.  This will be the first time this has occurred in the formal setting of the County County Council Civic Service.

 

Ed Fordham said “I take remembrance and armistice very seriously – my own family has been heavily scarred through soldiers who served and never returned, soldiers who returned scarred and injured beyond comprehension.  But I am very aware that war is not just between the generals and soldiers - for animals pressed into service there was no choice.  The love and bond between anyone and their pet is appreciated by millions the world over. But the bond between military animals and their handlers, carers and trainers in theatres of conflict is legendary.  When I lay my wreath I shall be accompanied by my rescue Husky, Sparky who will walk alongside me in tribute to her many furry friends and cousins.

 

“For example, thousands of horses were conscripted from the farms of Derbyshire and from the Chatsworth Estate.  It is thought that in World War One this was as high as 28,000 horses from Derbyshire alone – and not one of them came back. My wreath will be adorned by 28 hand crocheted and knitted purple poppies made by animal lovers from Derbyshire.  But my wreath and all of the wreaths we will lay across the county will stand as a tribute to the horses, mules, elephants, dogs, pigeons and canaries who worked in wars but also to the monkeys, bears, lions and more besides who served as regimental mascots.”

 

“As part of this commitment to ensure that the animals are remembered I am appealing to the good folks of Derbyshire to knit and crochet additional pureple poppies for all of the wreaths I am preparing. I am also asking people to volunteer to adopt a specified war memorial and ask for permission to lay a purple wreath in honour of the animals who served for us.”

 

Any queries to ed.fordham@gmail.com and 07974950512