New memorial for service animals

A new memorial remembering animals who were lost in battle will be unveiled in an emotional ceremony on Friday.

Nelson RSA’s Brian Ramsay says Purple Poppy Day acknowledges the animals that served alongside our men and women, from the Boer War right through to Afghanistan and this year’s will be special for Nelson and Tasman.

Brian says the sunset service at Marsden Valley Cemetery will be completely different to other services such as ANZAC Day, and promises to be something memorable for all who attend.

“The way the whole thing starts and and finishes will be ‘wow’, it will be quite emotional.”

Brian encourages families, and their well-behaved pets, to come along wearing something purple, bring a picnic and acknowledge the animals who served.

“Animals don’t volunteer, they are drafted,” Brian says.

During World War 1, 16 million animals, including horses, pigeons, cats and dogs, were deployed with eight million perishing in the conflict.

Compounding the tragedy, a number of soldiers were also forced to make the decision to put their animals down once the war was over.

From cats being used to deal with rat infestations in the trenches, to camels carrying ammunition and dogs bringing aid to the injured, animals served a variety of purposes during times of war.

Brian says we also can’t forget the police dogs on our frontlines every day.

“They still serve the community and country.”

Brian says Friday’s unveiling ceremony is the first time Purple Poppy Day has been acknowledged in Nelson on this scale.

“So, we want to do it right and do it big, a king hit and make people aware.”
Brian says they are aiming for the younger generation to get involved because his generation won’t be around forever.

“We want this project to be able to go on through the generations to acknowledge the animals.”

He says the project has been well-supported by the local businesses, community groups and Nelson Christian Academy.

Nelson’s poster girl for Purple Poppy Day, Nova, will be making an appearance at the ceremony.

Nova first became the face of the memorial day while she was waiting to be adopted from the SPCA last year.

Two weeks after Nelson Weekly published an article featuring Nova, she was adopted.

Nova’s owners Chris and Marinka Vandenhof say they had no idea that she was “famous” when they chose to adopt her.

After learning of her appearance in the media alongside RSA members, they were more than happy for her to continue in her role.

“She has been the perfect dog.”

The unveiling ceremony will begin at 6pm on Friday, 24 February regardless of weather.

“If it’s raining, too bad, it’s only for an hour. For these animals - it was days, months, years in horrendous conditions that we can’t even imagine,” Brian says.

He encourages those who are able, to park further away and walk up towards the RSA memorial area.