Lest we forget our amazing military animals on Anzac Day 2024!
Carrier pigeons, camels, dogs, donkeys, mules and horses all served a military purpose in our wars. A variety of other creatures also found their way amongst the troops to serve as mascots and companion animals, even a kangaroo who was somehow smuggled by AIF forces to Egypt in 1915.
All following photos are from WWI, messenger dogs from Villers-Bretonneux 1918.
(All images sourced Australian War Memorial, public domain)
SOURCES:
Australian War Memorial Canberra:
https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/animals-in-military
https://www.awm.gov.au/national-day-for-war-animals