Story by Rebecca West
Interested in all things dog or animal-related, back in August, we ran across some interesting correspondence written during World War I between three distraught English children and the British War Office conveying their concerns over the possible recruitment or requisition of their beloved pony, Betty.
Animals have played military roles throughout history, so it should come as no surprise that humans weren’t the only ones called upon to serve during World War I or II. Far from it. Over the course of the First World War, more than 16 million animals — including messenger pigeons, canaries for detecting gas, and cats for catching rats in trenches — metaphorically marched off to war, a staggering number made possible only by the inclusion of animals from private households across Europe, the U.K., and America.
On August 11, 1914, two months after the war commenced, the Hewlett children of Wigan penned a heartfelt letter to the Secretary of State for War, one Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener, imploring him not to take Betty, and they included a photo of the animal for good measure. To their utter surprise, a reply promptly arrived from Kitchener’s private secretary with a message to pass on to the anxious trio. Below is their correspondence.
The Hewletts to Lord Kitchener
“The Cottage,
Haigh,
Wigan
August 11th 1914
Dear good Lord Kitchener,
We are writing for our pony, which we are very afraid may be taken for your army. Please spare her. Daddy says she is going to be a mother early next year and is 17 years old. It would break our hearts to let her go. We have given 2 others and 3 of our family are now fighting for you in the Navy. Mother and all will do anything for you but do please let us keep old Betty, and send official word quickly before anyone comes.
Your troubled little Britishers,
P., L. and Freda Hewlett”
The War Office’s Response
“War Office,
Whitehall, S. W.
Lord Kitchener asks me to say in reply to your letter of the 11th August, that if you will show the enclosed note to anyone who comes to ask about your pony, he thinks it will be left to you quite safely. F. M. Lord Kitchener has decided that no horses under 15 hands shall be requisitioned belonging to the British family: P., L. and Freda Hewlett.”
The Hewletts’ Thanks to Lord Kitchener
“To our good Lord Kitchener.
You are indeed kind to allow us to keep our dear old Betty. We met every post and hardly dared to hope you, who have so much to do, had had time to read our request—so little to you—so much to us. Thank you ever and ever so much. We have your photo and will never forget your kindness and hope to do each and all ‘our little’ for you and all the brave men who are working for and fighting for dear old England and all of us.
Always and ever your grateful British servants,
Poppy, Lionel and Freda Hewlett and also Betty.
God save Lord Kitchener and the King.”
This got us thinking about our own nation’s patriotic sacrifices, so we did some digging and came up with a plethora of information on the topic. Many readers will be familiar with the story of Sgt. Stubby, arguably the most famous and highly decorated U.S. canine of the Great War. Wounded twice, Stubby received the Humane Education Society Gold Medal and two Purple Hearts. He is the subject of the 2018 animated film Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
Thought to be a Boston Bull Terrier, the story goes that Stubby was found wandering the campus of Yale University in July 1917 while members of the 102nd Infantry were training. It’s said that a corporal by the name of James Conroy grew fond of him and that when it came time to ship out, he stowed Stubby on board the troop ship. Upon discovery by Conroy’s commanding officer, Stubby saluted him, as he’d been taught to do in camp, and was understandably allowed to stay aboard.
WWII saw similar recruitment efforts. While horses were in higher demand during WWI, dogs were even more sought after the second time around, with many civilians volunteering their beloved pals to initiatives such as Dogs for Defense to serve in positions like sentinels, scouts, search and rescue members, tracking, and explosives detection on the battlefield.
An adorable 4 lb. Yorkie named Smoky was a mascot and combat veteran with the 5th Air Force, 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron who flew 12 air/sea rescue and photo reconnaissance missions during WWII. Purchased for $6.44 by Corporal William A. Wynne from another GI who needed the cash for a poker game, Smoky backpacked through the war and accompanied her human on combat flights in the Pacific for two years. Nicknamed the “angel from a foxhole,” she is said to have jumped for the unit in a specially-designed parachute.
Awarded a PDSA Certificate for Animal Bravery or Devotion and an Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal, she is believed to be the first emotional support dog for wounded troops and later became the world’s first therapy dog on record here in the States.
In addition to horses — who were again called upon for transportation and cavalry operations — mules, donkeys, oxen, and even elephants were used for heavy labor during the First and Second World Wars. Medical evacuations were frequently facilitated through rough terrain by both horses and camels. Well suited to harsh desert conditions, camels could be fitted with cacolets (a seat or bed for transporting the sick or injured) to carry the wounded to aid posts, dressing stations, or field hospitals. One camel could typically carry two injured men, one on each side of its hump.
For more information on the historic role of animals in the U.S. military, watch Loyal Forces: American Animals of World War II (youtu.be/JeoKWwPXSjU) or visit armyhistory.org/the-dogs-of-war-the-u-s-armys-use-of-canines-in-wwii/.
