The War Animals Memorial at Eatons Hill Primary School in Queensland, Australia, commemorates the significant contributions and sacrifices of animals in military service for Australia. This plaque, located at Marylin Terrace, was established to recognize the vital roles played by horses, donkeys, mules, camels, pigeons, and dogs in war and peace.
The Plaque commemorates all animals who were lost in war. The school is the first school in Australia to have a plaque dedicated solely to animals lost in war.
Students from the school asked their principal how they could honour war heroes as a large percentage of students are dependents of soldiers from the near by Enoggera military camp. Brigadier Greg Bilton CSC, ADC 7th Brigade-Enoggera, unveiled the plaque situated in the school grounds.
The President of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation, Nigel Allsopp, arranged the plaque and animals for the day whilst the school staff arranged the event. Animals attending included a heavy horse, 3x Light horsemen, 2 x Donkeys, 3 x RAAF military working dogs and 3x Explosive detection dogs from the army engineers- 2 CER.
Animals have played a very significant role in assisting our defence forces over the years and the memorial plaque is to show support for the many dogs, horses, mules, donkeys, camels and pigeons who have bravely served Australia. The recognition of animals in war is not new as three pigeons had been awarded the Dickins Medal – the equivalent of a Victoria Cross – in World War One and a British mine detection dog in Afghanistan has also received the same award.
