Animals in War Memorial
Coordinates: 51°30′40″N 0°09′26″W / 51.51111°N 0.15722°W
| Animals in War Memorial | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
 | |
| For all of the animals that served and died under British military command throughout history | |
| Unveiled | 24 December 2004 |
| Location | Hyde Park, London |
| Designed by | David Backhouse |
|
They had no choice | |
The Animals in War Memorial is a war memorial in Hyde Park, London. It is located on Park Lane, at the junction with Upper Brook Street, on the eastern edge of the park.
The memorial was designed by English sculptor David Backhouse to commemorate the countless animals that have served and died under British military command throughout history. It was unveiled in November 2004 by Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.[1]
History
The memorial was inspired by Jilly Cooper's book Animals in War, and was made possible by a specially created fund of £1.4 million from public donations of which Cooper was a co-trustee.[2] The memorial consists of a 55 ft by 58 ft (16.8 m by 17.7 m) curved Portland stone wall: the symbolic arena of war,[3] emblazoned with images of various struggling animals, along with two heavily-laden bronze mules progressing up the stairs of the monument, and a bronze horse and bronze dog beyond it looking into the distance.
The Animals in War Memorial was officially opened on 24 November 2004 by Anne, Princess Royal.
On May 27 2013, it was one of two London war memorials vandalised on the same night. The word 'Islam' was spray-painted on it causing £2,766 in damage and the nearby RAF Bomber Command Memorial causing £6,500 in damage.[4] A 31 year old London man later admitted to vandalising the memorials. The man was charged for a total of 94 vandalism and destruction of property offences carried out over several weeks against homes, cars, memorials and a church causing a total of £56,909 in damage.[5]
Inscriptions
Beneath the main header, "Animals in War", the memorial has two separate inscriptions; the first and larger reads:
"This monument is dedicated to all the animals
that served and died alongside British and allied forces
in wars and campaigns throughout time."
The second, shorter but larger in font inscription simply reads:
"They had no choice."
Upon the rear or outside of the memorial are these words:
"Many and various animals were employed to support British and Allied Forces in wars and campaigns over the centuries, and as a result millions died. From the pigeon to the elephant, they all played a vital role in every region of the world in the cause of human freedom.
Their contribution must never be forgotten."
Gallery
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Western section of the memorial
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Eastern section of the memorial
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Northern section of the memorial
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Pictured in 2007
References
- ↑ "Somerset sculptor designs Animals in War memorial", BBC, 25/11/04
- ↑ IndieLondon, [http:derpo.uk/Events-Review/animals-in-war-memorial Animals in War Memorial], retrieved 2008-01-27
- ↑ IndieLondon, Animals in War Memorial, retrieved 2008-01-27
- ↑ "Vandals deface war memorials in London parks". BBC News. 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
- ↑ Robson, Steve (30 April 2014). "Vandal admits painting 'Islam' on war memorial days after murder of Lee Rigby". mirror.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Animals in War Memorial. |
- The Official Animals In War Memorial Fund Website
- An audio link from Clinton Rogers of the BBC
- Another brief article, featuring a number of pictures of the memorial
- Another article focused on the sculpting of the monument
- An article giving substantial detail on particular animals honoured by the memorial