War Horse

The release of Steven Spielberg's film 'War Horse', based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo of the same name has met with worldwide acclaim. This follows the stunning theatre success in London and Broadway where it won five Tony's. War Horse has been nominated for Best Picture in the 2012 Academy Awards.

The First World War is the setting for this story of loyalty between a young conscript and his horse. It brings to mind the importance of remembering the men and women who have fought and died in war, but also the brave and vital efforts of the animals that served alongside them. In the First World War, while ten million men perished, the death rate amongst warhorses was proportionately higher with some eight million killed on all sides. Countless mules and donkeys also perished. Only sixty thousand of the one million horses sent from Britain to France returned. Many suffered horrific deaths from wounds, thirst, starvation, disease, exposure and exhaustion. All participants in the War used animals, including Cavalry Units from Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America.

The film and theatre productions of 'War Horse' are a fitting reminder of these events. It was with the suffering of animals in war in mind that London Manx Society (Yn Cheshaght Manninagh Lunnin) laid a wreath at the Animals War Memorial in London's Park Lane on Remembrance Day in 2011. The monument sculptured by David Backhouse and unveiled in November 2004, is built of Portland Stone and cast bronze, measuring 58ft wide and 55ft deep. Bronze statues and carved images of the different animals used in twentieth century conflicts are incorporated into the monument.

The London Manx Society wreath had the following dedication in Manx Gaelic and English:

Ayns cooinaghtyn jeh shirveish-chaggee ny beiyn oney ooilley as y surranse oc er nyn son
Cha row reih erbee oc

In remembrance of the war service of all the innocent animals and their suffering on our behalf
They had no choice

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