Animals during WW1: Discover their stories.
START
- READ the section(s) you were assigned and COMPLETE your part(s) of the worksheet. - You can click on the pictures to ZOOM. - LISTEN to the other groups and FILL IN with their information.
LET'S GO!
Index:
Other birds
Horses
Cher Ami
General Seely and Warrior
Cats
Mules
Donkeys
Camels
Unusual Animals
Dogs
Sergeant Stubby
Mascots
Pigeons
Horses.
The greatest animal contribution in the First World War was made by equines, by far. Horses, mules, and donkeys were used in a range of roles by all nations; most notably to transport military supplies, food and artillery. They also carried mounted troops and were used as ambulances to evacuate the dead and wounded. During WW1, 8 million horses died (from direct attacks, gas inhalations, or from cold and hunger) and 2.5 million were injured.
On the home front, horses were essential to keep agricultural industries functioning. In Great Britain, authorities were quite selective with requisition and animals considered essential to farming or industry were largely exempt. These horses played an important role in making sure that food supply and transport continued to operate.
General Seely and Warrior.
The actions of horses in the First World War are often personified with stories of heroic and brave mounts which continue to capture the public’s imagination today. During the war, these stories served to boost morale among troops and civilians and even became propaganda tools, with horses used as a symbol of good triumphing over evil.
One of the most famous examples is that of General Jack Seely (1868-1947), commander of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, and his horse Warrior. They both survived four years of bombs and bullets to lead a cavalry charge in 1918, before returning home where they rode on together until 1938. Seely documented their exploits in his 1934 book "My Horse Warrior". Warrior took part in many of the First World War’s most famous battles, escaping near death on multiple occasions, becoming known as the “horse the Germans couldn’t kill”.
Mules.
The contribution of mules in the First World War is often underestimated. Their unique hybrid attributes allowed them to work more on less food than horses and they were more resilient to sickness and injury. They were also more sure-footed and agile, making them ideal for transporting food and munitions under harsh conditions.
Most of the British mules were in fact American mules. The British army had no mules at the outbreak of the war, they valued horses more. But as more and more horses died, it became difficult to replace them. The 1922 British War Office report on statistics of the Great War states that more than 275,000 mules were bought in North America, to replace horses.
Donkeys.
They were also used as pack animals across all fronts. They were able to carry up to three times their own body weight and were most commonly used in hot and/ or mountainous terrain, such as the Sinai, Palestine, and Italian fronts. They were also used as mascots due to their docile personality. Their small size meant they were sometimes used in trenches on the Western Front too, the most famous example of which is Jimmy.
Jimmy was born in the Somme and adopted by the 1st battalion of the Scottish Rifles. He worked carrying ammunition, regimental supplies, and even the wounded, and in exchange was well treated by the troops who shared their rations with him. Jimmy returned to the U.K. after the war where he was adopted and used to raise money for charity. When he died in 1943, aged 26, Jimmy was buried in Peterborough's Park and a memorial stone was laid on his grave.
Dogs.
Dogs were extremely useful in the trenches and the no-man's land. More than 1 million dogs died in WW1. According to their breed, they were assigned different tasks. For example, messenger dogs carried messages quickly across trenches or back to headquarters in a metal cylinder) and explosive dogs served as bomb detectors. They were equipped with gas masks and parachuted behind enemy's line.
Sentry dogs were usually trained to accompany one specific soldier and give him a loud signal when he suspected an enemy presence. Scout dogs on the contrary were highly trained and disciplined to be quiet. They worked with foot patrols and gave silent signals in case of danger.
Casualty dogs ("mercy dogs") carried medical equipment to injured soldiers so they could treat themselves. They also stayed beside a dying soldier to keep him company in his final moments. Dogs also served as mascots for men trapped in the horrors of trench warfare. It was a psychological comfort that took away for a moment the horrors they lived through and reminded them of their home life.
Dogs.
Sergeant Stubby.
Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) was an American dog who served as the mascot of America’s 102nd Infantry Regiment during World War 1. He travelled with his division to France in 1917 to fight alongside the French. He served for 18 months and participated in 100 battles and four offensives on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and he once attacked and held a German soldier by the seat of his pants, keeping him there until American soldiers found him. He received many awards including a gold medal, a wound stripe and two purple hearts. Stubby has been called "the most decorated war dog of the Great War" and the only dog to be nominated and promoted to sergeant through combat. Stubby's preserved body is on display in the National Museum of American History. He is the subject of the 2018 animated film "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero".
Pigeons.
Carrier pigeons delivered messages to specific destinations. They were trained birds which could fly at 40 km per hour, faster relaying messages back from the front lines to headquarters. They were used to report cases of sinking or crashed ships and submarines. They were often more reliable than old telephones or radio. They actually boasted a delivery success rate of approximately 95 percent. More than 100,000 homing pigeons were used during WW1.
Other birds.
Other birds were used during the conflict. Canaries were also used by both German and British soldiers in order to detect underground gases, in tunnels under the no-man's land and under enemy trenches. Canaries are fifteen times more sensitive to gas than humans, and during the war, these birds played a vital role in alerting troops to the presence of gas before it affected humans.
The French army tried to use parrots in Paris to give early warning of approaching enemy aircraft. The parrots were posted at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The British army did similar trials with pheasants in coastal regions. However, these experiments proved ineffective, as the birds became unreliable and were unable to tell the difference between allied and enemy aircraft.
Cher Ami.
One of the most famous pigeons of the war was named Cher Ami. It was a gift to the U.S. Signal Corps from British pigeon fanciers. Cher Ami was sent by Major Charles White Whittlesey, leader of the “Lost Battalion” of nine companies of the 77th Division U.S. Army. They were surrounded by German forces during the Battle of Meuse-Argonne in October 1918. After two other pigeons had been shot down, Cher Ami successfully delivered a message to divisional headquarters 25 miles away in just 25 minutes despite being badly wounded during the journey. 194 American soldiers were saved that day thanks to this bird !
Cats
Cats were smaller but equally as useful on the front line. An estimated 500,000 cats lived in and among the trenches on the Western Front and on naval ships, where they killed rats and mice. Rats and mice were a serious problem for soldiers because they ate into the provisions and spread diseases. The cats were often homeless animals displaced by the war and adopted by men to work as ratters but also act as mascots in exchange for food and protection. Cats were also sometimes used as gas detectors and others carried messages on the battlefield with notes around their necks.
Camels
Camels were used a lot in the Middle East by both the Allies and Central Powers. They could carry heavy loads in desert conditions, crossing up to 70 miles a day without water, which was extremely useful for keeping military units mobile during the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. The British army expanded their camel regiments with the formation of the "Imperial Camel Corps" in 1916. Armed with long rifles, the 3,000 strong Camel Corps was more and more used in combat roles in addition to their traditional uses of patrol and scouting missions. Camels were sometimes the only form of transport across the desert and were even used to evacuate the wounded in specially designed "cacolets".
Unusual animals
Many other creatures took part in the First World War. In Germany, Belgium, and Britain, with few horses left in the country, a few captive elephants were used to transport heavy loads. In Germany in 1915, an elephant named Jenny and her keeper Matthias Walter from Hagenbeck Zoo travelled to the Western Front. Jenny worked felling trees and hauling traction engines. In Sheffield, England, Lizzie the elephant played a similar role. Part of a menagerie, Lizzie helped move steel and machinery to the city’s foundries, and she transported ammunitions. Elephants also sometimes replaced horses and oxen in the countryside, for agricultural needs.
Unusual animals
During WW1, poison gas (such as chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas) emerged as one of the most feared weapons. Early gas masks were primitive, and gas detection methods were rudimentary—until military officials made a surprising discovery about common garden slugs. Scientists noticed that slugs were extraordinarily sensitive to the presence of poison gas. showing visible distress before concentrations reached levels detectable by humans. The British Army began keeping slugs in small boxes at observation posts along the Western Front. When the slugs showed signs of discomfort—curling up or secreting excessive mucus—it signaled soldiers to put on their gas masks immediately. This primitive but effective early warning system saved countless lives, giving troops precious extra seconds to prepare for gas attacks.
Mascots
Look
In August 1914, Canadian Harry Colebourn joined the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps (CAVC). During the journey from his native Winnipeg, Colebourn bought a baby black bear at a train stop and named her after his hometown. “Winnie” accompanied him and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade to England where they trained before heading to France. During this time Winnie was officially adopted as a mascot for the CAVC. She lived her entire life in close contact with humans so she was famous for being incredibly docile and was viewed as a pet by many of the regiment’s men. When the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade left for France in December 1914, Colebourn left Winnie in the care of the London Zoo.
Her reputation as a friendly bear grew and she became a popular attraction, especially for young children who were sometimes allowed inside her enclosure to feed her. Colebourn visited Winnie whenever he could. Although he originally intended to bring her back to Canada, at the end of the war he decided to leave her at London Zoo. One of Winnie’s frequent visitors was Christopher Milne, son of author A. A. Milne. Christopher was so fond of Winnie that he named his own teddy bear after her, which later became the inspiration for the famous "Winnie the Pooh" books. Winnie the bear died on May 12th, 1934 at 20 years old.
Mascots
Jackie was a Chacma baboon who served with the South African forces during World War I. Jackie belonged to Albert Marr, a South African farmer. The baboon was given a complete uniform and even his own pay book. Jackie learned to salute superior officers and adopted the routine of military life with remarkable adaptability. His sharp viewing and hearing senses allowed him to detect enemy movements and approaching danger long before humans could. During the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916, Jackie was injured by shrapnel that led to the amputation of his right leg. For his service and injury, Jackie received a medal and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He returned to South Africa with Marr after the war and was even present at official military parades. He sadly passed in 1921 in a home fire.
Mascots
SERGEANT BILL was a Canadian goat from Saskatchewan who served as the mascot of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
TIRPITZ was the mascot of HMS Glasgow during the First World War. The pig had originally been kept on board the German cruiser SMS Dresden until she sank in March 1915.
The most famous of the Lafayette Escadrille's mascots were the lion cubs Whiskey and Soda.
STUDENTS 3e LCE - Animals during WW1 DISCOVER MORE STORI
Sabrina
Created on September 14, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Teaching Challenge: Transform Your Classroom
View
Frayer Model
View
Math Calculations
View
Interactive QR Code Generator
View
Piñata Challenge
View
Interactive Scoreboard
View
Interactive Bingo
Explore all templates
Transcript
Animals during WW1: Discover their stories.
START
- READ the section(s) you were assigned and COMPLETE your part(s) of the worksheet. - You can click on the pictures to ZOOM. - LISTEN to the other groups and FILL IN with their information.
LET'S GO!
Index:
Other birds
Horses
Cher Ami
General Seely and Warrior
Cats
Mules
Donkeys
Camels
Unusual Animals
Dogs
Sergeant Stubby
Mascots
Pigeons
Horses.
The greatest animal contribution in the First World War was made by equines, by far. Horses, mules, and donkeys were used in a range of roles by all nations; most notably to transport military supplies, food and artillery. They also carried mounted troops and were used as ambulances to evacuate the dead and wounded. During WW1, 8 million horses died (from direct attacks, gas inhalations, or from cold and hunger) and 2.5 million were injured.
On the home front, horses were essential to keep agricultural industries functioning. In Great Britain, authorities were quite selective with requisition and animals considered essential to farming or industry were largely exempt. These horses played an important role in making sure that food supply and transport continued to operate.
General Seely and Warrior.
The actions of horses in the First World War are often personified with stories of heroic and brave mounts which continue to capture the public’s imagination today. During the war, these stories served to boost morale among troops and civilians and even became propaganda tools, with horses used as a symbol of good triumphing over evil.
One of the most famous examples is that of General Jack Seely (1868-1947), commander of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, and his horse Warrior. They both survived four years of bombs and bullets to lead a cavalry charge in 1918, before returning home where they rode on together until 1938. Seely documented their exploits in his 1934 book "My Horse Warrior". Warrior took part in many of the First World War’s most famous battles, escaping near death on multiple occasions, becoming known as the “horse the Germans couldn’t kill”.
Mules.
The contribution of mules in the First World War is often underestimated. Their unique hybrid attributes allowed them to work more on less food than horses and they were more resilient to sickness and injury. They were also more sure-footed and agile, making them ideal for transporting food and munitions under harsh conditions.
Most of the British mules were in fact American mules. The British army had no mules at the outbreak of the war, they valued horses more. But as more and more horses died, it became difficult to replace them. The 1922 British War Office report on statistics of the Great War states that more than 275,000 mules were bought in North America, to replace horses.
Donkeys.
They were also used as pack animals across all fronts. They were able to carry up to three times their own body weight and were most commonly used in hot and/ or mountainous terrain, such as the Sinai, Palestine, and Italian fronts. They were also used as mascots due to their docile personality. Their small size meant they were sometimes used in trenches on the Western Front too, the most famous example of which is Jimmy.
Jimmy was born in the Somme and adopted by the 1st battalion of the Scottish Rifles. He worked carrying ammunition, regimental supplies, and even the wounded, and in exchange was well treated by the troops who shared their rations with him. Jimmy returned to the U.K. after the war where he was adopted and used to raise money for charity. When he died in 1943, aged 26, Jimmy was buried in Peterborough's Park and a memorial stone was laid on his grave.
Dogs.
Dogs were extremely useful in the trenches and the no-man's land. More than 1 million dogs died in WW1. According to their breed, they were assigned different tasks. For example, messenger dogs carried messages quickly across trenches or back to headquarters in a metal cylinder) and explosive dogs served as bomb detectors. They were equipped with gas masks and parachuted behind enemy's line.
Sentry dogs were usually trained to accompany one specific soldier and give him a loud signal when he suspected an enemy presence. Scout dogs on the contrary were highly trained and disciplined to be quiet. They worked with foot patrols and gave silent signals in case of danger.
Casualty dogs ("mercy dogs") carried medical equipment to injured soldiers so they could treat themselves. They also stayed beside a dying soldier to keep him company in his final moments. Dogs also served as mascots for men trapped in the horrors of trench warfare. It was a psychological comfort that took away for a moment the horrors they lived through and reminded them of their home life.
Dogs.
Sergeant Stubby.
Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) was an American dog who served as the mascot of America’s 102nd Infantry Regiment during World War 1. He travelled with his division to France in 1917 to fight alongside the French. He served for 18 months and participated in 100 battles and four offensives on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and he once attacked and held a German soldier by the seat of his pants, keeping him there until American soldiers found him. He received many awards including a gold medal, a wound stripe and two purple hearts. Stubby has been called "the most decorated war dog of the Great War" and the only dog to be nominated and promoted to sergeant through combat. Stubby's preserved body is on display in the National Museum of American History. He is the subject of the 2018 animated film "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero".
Pigeons.
Carrier pigeons delivered messages to specific destinations. They were trained birds which could fly at 40 km per hour, faster relaying messages back from the front lines to headquarters. They were used to report cases of sinking or crashed ships and submarines. They were often more reliable than old telephones or radio. They actually boasted a delivery success rate of approximately 95 percent. More than 100,000 homing pigeons were used during WW1.
Other birds.
Other birds were used during the conflict. Canaries were also used by both German and British soldiers in order to detect underground gases, in tunnels under the no-man's land and under enemy trenches. Canaries are fifteen times more sensitive to gas than humans, and during the war, these birds played a vital role in alerting troops to the presence of gas before it affected humans.
The French army tried to use parrots in Paris to give early warning of approaching enemy aircraft. The parrots were posted at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The British army did similar trials with pheasants in coastal regions. However, these experiments proved ineffective, as the birds became unreliable and were unable to tell the difference between allied and enemy aircraft.
Cher Ami.
One of the most famous pigeons of the war was named Cher Ami. It was a gift to the U.S. Signal Corps from British pigeon fanciers. Cher Ami was sent by Major Charles White Whittlesey, leader of the “Lost Battalion” of nine companies of the 77th Division U.S. Army. They were surrounded by German forces during the Battle of Meuse-Argonne in October 1918. After two other pigeons had been shot down, Cher Ami successfully delivered a message to divisional headquarters 25 miles away in just 25 minutes despite being badly wounded during the journey. 194 American soldiers were saved that day thanks to this bird !
Cats
Cats were smaller but equally as useful on the front line. An estimated 500,000 cats lived in and among the trenches on the Western Front and on naval ships, where they killed rats and mice. Rats and mice were a serious problem for soldiers because they ate into the provisions and spread diseases. The cats were often homeless animals displaced by the war and adopted by men to work as ratters but also act as mascots in exchange for food and protection. Cats were also sometimes used as gas detectors and others carried messages on the battlefield with notes around their necks.
Camels
Camels were used a lot in the Middle East by both the Allies and Central Powers. They could carry heavy loads in desert conditions, crossing up to 70 miles a day without water, which was extremely useful for keeping military units mobile during the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. The British army expanded their camel regiments with the formation of the "Imperial Camel Corps" in 1916. Armed with long rifles, the 3,000 strong Camel Corps was more and more used in combat roles in addition to their traditional uses of patrol and scouting missions. Camels were sometimes the only form of transport across the desert and were even used to evacuate the wounded in specially designed "cacolets".
Unusual animals
Many other creatures took part in the First World War. In Germany, Belgium, and Britain, with few horses left in the country, a few captive elephants were used to transport heavy loads. In Germany in 1915, an elephant named Jenny and her keeper Matthias Walter from Hagenbeck Zoo travelled to the Western Front. Jenny worked felling trees and hauling traction engines. In Sheffield, England, Lizzie the elephant played a similar role. Part of a menagerie, Lizzie helped move steel and machinery to the city’s foundries, and she transported ammunitions. Elephants also sometimes replaced horses and oxen in the countryside, for agricultural needs.
Unusual animals
During WW1, poison gas (such as chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas) emerged as one of the most feared weapons. Early gas masks were primitive, and gas detection methods were rudimentary—until military officials made a surprising discovery about common garden slugs. Scientists noticed that slugs were extraordinarily sensitive to the presence of poison gas. showing visible distress before concentrations reached levels detectable by humans. The British Army began keeping slugs in small boxes at observation posts along the Western Front. When the slugs showed signs of discomfort—curling up or secreting excessive mucus—it signaled soldiers to put on their gas masks immediately. This primitive but effective early warning system saved countless lives, giving troops precious extra seconds to prepare for gas attacks.
Mascots
Look
In August 1914, Canadian Harry Colebourn joined the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps (CAVC). During the journey from his native Winnipeg, Colebourn bought a baby black bear at a train stop and named her after his hometown. “Winnie” accompanied him and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade to England where they trained before heading to France. During this time Winnie was officially adopted as a mascot for the CAVC. She lived her entire life in close contact with humans so she was famous for being incredibly docile and was viewed as a pet by many of the regiment’s men. When the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade left for France in December 1914, Colebourn left Winnie in the care of the London Zoo. Her reputation as a friendly bear grew and she became a popular attraction, especially for young children who were sometimes allowed inside her enclosure to feed her. Colebourn visited Winnie whenever he could. Although he originally intended to bring her back to Canada, at the end of the war he decided to leave her at London Zoo. One of Winnie’s frequent visitors was Christopher Milne, son of author A. A. Milne. Christopher was so fond of Winnie that he named his own teddy bear after her, which later became the inspiration for the famous "Winnie the Pooh" books. Winnie the bear died on May 12th, 1934 at 20 years old.
Mascots
Jackie was a Chacma baboon who served with the South African forces during World War I. Jackie belonged to Albert Marr, a South African farmer. The baboon was given a complete uniform and even his own pay book. Jackie learned to salute superior officers and adopted the routine of military life with remarkable adaptability. His sharp viewing and hearing senses allowed him to detect enemy movements and approaching danger long before humans could. During the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916, Jackie was injured by shrapnel that led to the amputation of his right leg. For his service and injury, Jackie received a medal and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He returned to South Africa with Marr after the war and was even present at official military parades. He sadly passed in 1921 in a home fire.
Mascots
SERGEANT BILL was a Canadian goat from Saskatchewan who served as the mascot of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
TIRPITZ was the mascot of HMS Glasgow during the First World War. The pig had originally been kept on board the German cruiser SMS Dresden until she sank in March 1915.
The most famous of the Lafayette Escadrille's mascots were the lion cubs Whiskey and Soda.