General Chat

I have just heard this on my local radio, and I have never heard of it before.
You can buy purple poppies in rememberance of all the animals that lost their lives in the two world wars.
I have never seen these for sale.
Julia in Derbyshire

They sell them in my local Animal Rescue shop.

Joan, whilst I buy a poppy every year (red), as I believe wholeheartedly in this, I would have bought a purple one also if I had known about them. As an animal lover, I am only to well aware of the importance animals played in the wars.
In fact, in WW1, my Gt. uncle died protecting his beloved horses at the front, and is buried at Abbeville, France, whilst his distant cousin, procured horses for the men at war.
We give very little thought to the animals involved. So sad.
Julia in Derbyshire

I didn't know that either, despite donating to several animal charities/rescues.
I wonder who does have them? I will try google and see if I can find out

found this:-
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Purple-poppies-issued-memory-animal-war-victims/article-1427855-detail/article.html

I didnt know this either and as an animal lover I would also purchase them along with the red poppy.

I didnt know either.
I never pass an animal charity tin,so I would buy a poppy.

Don't mean to be controversial but don't know enough to know what the benefits of buying purple poppies would be.

I was watching a rerun of the series of the land girls in ww2 and one of he characters was talking about a horse he had taken away to fight on the front which must have happened and been heartbreaking in real life.

However, although I have no objections about people remembering he animals that died, quite the opposite, do the purple poppies provide any financial assistance to anyone? The regular red poppies support those who fought on wars including current conflicts. Would purple poppies take away any potential financial support from those causes?

SRS, I did not hear what was said about any monies realised from the sale of purple poppies. I just thought, they would be given to an animal charity in the memory of those animals that lost their lives.
Personally, I would not think their sale detracted financially from the sale of the red poppies, as, if you look at the rest of the thread, only Joan had heared of these. So, their sale would be only minimal by contrast.
Julia in Derbyshire

Edit to say, It may be too late to source one of the purple poppies for this year, but will certainly look into the matter.
Thank you ladies for your replies. You learn something new everyday.

For what i read,the money from the purple ones was to remember the ones who died and to help the ones who are affected by war.
Must look again....

Purple poppies issued in memory of animal war victims

By bhenesey

A CHARITY wants pet owners in Notts to remember animals killed or injured in war zones.

Animal Aid is selling specially commissioned purple poppies in memory of dogs and other species killed while assisting the Armed Forces.

The charity hopes people will wear the purple poppy alongside the traditional red version on Remembrance Day next month.

Funds raised by Animal Aid through sales of the purple poppies will go towards helping other animals injured in the line of duty.

Campaigns Officer Kelly Slade said: "To commemorate all the animal victims, Animal Aid has issued a purple poppy as a reminder both humans and animals have been victims of war."

The purple poppies cost £1 each, including postage and packing, and are available directly from Animal Aid.

The charity is planning to sell the poppies on the streets of Notts and is looking for volunteers.

Anyone interested can call Animal Aid on 01732 364 546 or visit www.animalaid.org.uk.

Thanks Julia. As you say, both are good causes. I must admit unfortunately that I hadn't thought about the poor animals in wartime.

Thanks Marion

Your Welcome SRS. I read somewhere that thousands of horses were slaughtered in WW1. There was a special Army Corps formed, just for the procurement of horses. One of my famous distant Arnull horse racing and training rellies was in it on the British side, whilst two of his brothers were interened by the Germans.
I know that there is a medal called the Dicken Medal, for dogs in WW2. Hope I have got that last bit right about it being just for dogs. Also alot of pigeons were also used in both wars.
Julia in Derbyshire

There is a beautiful war memorial to 'animals in war' erected Hyde Park I think 5/6 years ago. It was a wall in 3D effect and statues of mules and horses around the area. There were a few animals awarded the Dickin Cross and I think a pigeon was one.

We were thinking along the same lines Julia!

there are still dogs being used today.Some are trained to sniff out explosives and others to track down people who are lying under rubble etc. Several have been injured in the line of duty.

Easter Bunny, was telling the OH about this when having lunch in M*****sons, before buying our ordinary poppies. We are hoping that by next year the purple ones are more readily available. Yes, you are quite right about the dogs. Very worthwhile any support they get.
Julia in Derbyshire

n

i have heard about them but never seen one yet