I rise on behalf of the Government to acknowledge and support the Private Members Motion, Animals of War.
Military animals play a significant role throughout the history of warfare – even dating back to the 4th century AD.
As working animals, different military animals serve different functions during combat.
Horses, camels, donkeys, even elephants, have been used for both transportation of personnel, equipment as well as food, water, and medical supplies.
Pigeons have been used for communication and photographic intelligence, canaries were used to detect poisonous gas, and even rats and pigs have been used in various specialised military functions.
And notably, dogs have played a role in a wide variety of military purpose, in particular these days focussing on guarding and bomb detection.
With this coming weekend commemorating the Centenary of Armistice, lets focus on the Animals of War from the First World War.
According to the Imperial War Museums (IWM), it states that over 16 million animals served during World War I, and their main tasks were transportation, communication, and most importantly companionship.
Not all animals were employed to work, but some were kept as pets and mascots to raise morale and provide comfort amidst the hardships of war.
And, two animals that today’s motion highlights, outlines both the companionship and the war service of Digger, the War Dog, and Bill the Bastard.
Their story is of true mateship, embodying the ANZAC spirit.
Digger was a stray dog that attached himself to soldiers on their way down to the troopships in Melbourne.
The 1st Division immediately adopted him as a mascot and Digger sailed with them to war on the 20th October 1914.
During Digger’s remarkable service, official records identify that he ‘went over the top 16 times’ during some of the worst battles of Gallipoli, and the Western Front.
He was wounded and gassed at Pozieres in 1916, shot through the jaw – losing three teeth – was blinded in the right eye and lost hearing in his left ear.
Despite these experiences, at the sound of a gas alarm, it was reported that Digger would rush to his nearest human companion to have his gas mask fitted
There were also occasions when Digger delivered food to wounded men stranded in no man’s land, sometimes bringing back written messages.
Sergeant Martin returned to Australia on the 12 May 1918 and was discharged medically unfit.
Digger accompanied him due to strict quarantine regulations, and they remained in Sydney.
Digger sadly died on the 24 May 1919.
In 2017, the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO), a not-for-profit, raised awareness of the bravery shown by all war animals by establishing a memorial at West Croydon/Kilkenny RSL to commemorate Digger’s unique and incredible story.
The memorial was unveiled on the 29 October 2017.
To celebrate the companionship between Digger and Martin, and to commemorate their service, a children’s book was written by John Gillam and Yvonne Fletcher, titled ‘A Tail of Two Diggers’.
The book narrates the service and sacrifice these two endured, and also allows the reader to understand the indicators and impact that untreated Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) has on its sufferers.
It is incredibly important that children are made aware of the wounds inflicted upon our brave service men and women, both visible and
invisible.
And, Bill the Bastard, the other Australian story of war animal and soldier companionship.
Bill was an Australian-bred waler, described as powerful, intellectual with unmatched courage.
In performance and character, he stood above the other 200, 000 Australian horses sent to the Middle East in the Great War.
Bill could only be ridden by one-man, Major Michael Shanahan – any other soldier was bucked off, and seen to ‘hit the
dust’.
The story between Bill and Major Shanahan is of great mateship, as they depended on each other for survival, with Bill’s heroic efforts and exceptional instincts in battle, saving Shanahan and four of his men on one occasion.
Bill became a legend, a symbol of the courage and unbreakable will of the ANZAC mounted force. And his name, Bill the Bastard, was a sense of endearment.
A book was written by Roland Perry, titled ‘Bill the Bastard: The Story of Australia’s Greatest War Horse’, highlighting the importance of the service of our war animals.
Both Digger and Bill were honoured with a Blue Cross for their service earlier this year.
The Blue Cross is a not for profit UK organisation, which was established in 1897, and was established to collect donations assisting horses on the frontline and to provide vital veterinary services to animals on the battlefields.
The Blue Cross ensures that during commemorative ceremonies that brave men, women and animals who have fought and died in conflict are honoured and acknowledged.
The Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) stated in a recent media release that they will be responsible for the administration and award nomination process for Australian and New Zealand animals eligible for the Blue Cross Award.
I commend the Honourable Frank Pangello for bringing this motion to the Chamber, and for allowing Honourable Members to make a contribution to our military animals.
Lest we forget.