Come oh come ye tea-thirsty restless ones -- the kettle boils, bubbles and sings, musically. ~ Rabindranath Tagore
The smaller inscriptions read, "THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE ANIMALS THAT SERVED AND DIED ALONGSIDE BRITISH AND ALLIED FORCES IN WARS AND CAMPAIGNS THROUGHOUT TIME" and "THEY HAD NO CHOICE". Photos by
vard except as indicated.
In 2009, I went to London with my BFF, kossack
vard. On our way to somewhere else by cab, we passed the
Animals In War Memorial, at
the edge of Hyde Park. We were very interested, but already had a full agenda and didn't get to circle back. She was in London again last week and made time to visit and send me photos, including the one above and those below the fold.
The monument, unveiled in 2004, is the work of sculptor David Backhouse. We thought it was very British, and extremely touching. I commented, when she sent me the photos, that I love that people lay wreaths there (as you can see above). She said, "There were scores and scores of wreaths."
On the lower level, two heavily laden bronze mules struggle through an arena, enclosed by the dominant wall symbolising the war experience. The mules approach a flight of steps that leads through the wall. Beyond the wall, on the upper level, a bronze horse and dog stand facing north into the gardens, bearing witness to the loss of their comrades and representing hope for the future.
Images of the many different animals used in 20th century conflicts are depicted in bas-relief on the inside of the longer section of wall. On the outside of this wall a line of ghostly silhouettes is carved, representing the animals lost in the conflicts.
The monument's website shares some stories of heroic war animals.
This Wikimedia Commons photo gives a view of the front from a greater distance, to give some perspective:
More photos below the orange wreath.
Front view of the lead pack mule:
On the upper level: the wall with carved animal silhouettes, and the horse and dog.
Many thanks to my friend of almost 40 years for thinking of me and sending these pictures! xo!
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Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
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