The pets we kept in the Forces

Ron Goldstein · 27-07-2007, 05:05 PM

I've had a quick look round the various threads that others have started and, unless I've missed it, no one has started a thread to do with pets.

On the BBC WW2 Archives I posted the following article regarding a rather un-usual pet I came across in the Forces, can any one else remember their own experiences?

BBC - WW2 People's War - Keeping Pets in the Forces

Rich Payne · 27-07-2007, 08:06 PM

Dogs appear quite often in pictures. Is it true by the way that all army dogs drunk beer ?

Here's an illustration of a Canadian and his dog (with a Norton, surprise, surprise !)

...and New Zealanders (with G3 Matchlesses).

Owen · 27-07-2007, 10:34 PM

Some great photos on the IWM site.
IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive
Just search for PET for 38 photos some are from 1914-18.

KriegsmarineFreak · 28-07-2007, 07:35 AM

I've found many WW2 german photos on EBay with various pets German soldiers had. I own a black and white photo of a German flight crewmember posing with a pet owl. I saw another photo of a Kriegsmarine sailor holding his rabbit on his warship at sea. Dogs appear in a lot of old WW2 photos. It appears that some German soldiers brought dogs to the Russian front. What were the rules with pets when you were in a dangerous war zone or on duty in the army back then?

Ron Goldstein · 28-07-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

What were the rules with pets when you were in a dangerous war zone or on duty in the army back then?

What rules ?
Since when did servicemen/servicewomen ever read the rules ?

To be serious, the impracticalities of keeping a pet in the line made it almost impossible to look after them and my photo of Queenie & Curly was taken in 1946. I would also think that there were strict injunctions against keeping pets in the barracks and that they would have been hidden away any time an inspection was due.

laufer · 09-08-2007, 09:53 AM

Story of the most famous pet in the Polish Army during II WW:
History on Podium: The Iranian Soldier-Bear of Monte Cassino

Slipdigit · 09-08-2007, 03:06 PM

Interesting story. Such a shame he had to live out his life in a cage.

Andy in West Oz · 10-08-2007, 01:41 AM

I was recently leant the book about this little chap.

"Horrie the Wog Dog" [Australian War Memorial]

marcus69x · 03-09-2007, 07:24 PM

Ron, did you ever find out who it was who smuggled the Parrott?

Ron Goldstein · 03-09-2007, 07:26 PM

Miracles you want ?

.... but I can still remember his face

27-07-2007, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 701	The pets we kept in the Forces I've had a quick look round the various threads that others have started and, unless I've missed it, no one has started a thread to do with pets. On the BBC WW2 Archives I posted the following article regarding a rather un-usual pet I came across in the Forces, can any one else remember their own experiences? BBC - WW2 People's War - Keeping Pets in the Forces __________________ If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? Rabbi Hillel circa 30 BCE I was "Called-up" in Oct 1942 Served as a Wireless-Op with the 49th LAA (78 Div) from Apr 1943 to Dec 1944 (North Africa,Sicily,Italy, Egypt). The Regiment was disbanded in Dec 1944 and I was retrained (in Italy) by the Royal Armoured Corps. Served as a Loader-Op with the 4th QOH from Mar 1945 to Jan 1946 (Italy, Austria, Germany) Finished up as Tech Cpl for "A" Sqdrn. I was "De-mobbed" in Apr 1947

28-07-2007, 07:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
KriegsmarineFreak Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 223	I've found many WW2 german photos on EBay with various pets German soldiers had. I own a black and white photo of a German flight crewmember posing with a pet owl. I saw another photo of a Kriegsmarine sailor holding his rabbit on his warship at sea. Dogs appear in a lot of old WW2 photos. It appears that some German soldiers brought dogs to the Russian front. What were the rules with pets when you were in a dangerous war zone or on duty in the army back then? __________________ Anything World War II

09-08-2007, 03:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Slipdigit The Dixie Division Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Not far enough in the woods Posts: 1,609	Interesting story. Such a shame he had to live out his life in a cage. __________________ Warmest Regards, Jeff The Bonnie Blue Flag *

10-08-2007, 01:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Andy in West Oz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: House of Bedfords, Perth, Western Australia Posts: 772	I was recently leant the book about this little chap. "Horrie the Wog Dog" [Australian War Memorial] __________________ Cheers Andy Apres moi le deluge But there are deeds that should not pass away....And names that must not wither - Byron HMAS Sydney II - lost with all hands and waiting to be found

03-09-2007, 07:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 701	Miracles you want ? .... but I can still remember his face __________________ If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? Rabbi Hillel circa 30 BCE I was "Called-up" in Oct 1942 Served as a Wireless-Op with the 49th LAA (78 Div) from Apr 1943 to Dec 1944 (North Africa,Sicily,Italy, Egypt). The Regiment was disbanded in Dec 1944 and I was retrained (in Italy) by the Royal Armoured Corps. Served as a Loader-Op with the 4th QOH from Mar 1945 to Jan 1946 (Italy, Austria, Germany) Finished up as Tech Cpl for "A" Sqdrn. I was "De-mobbed" in Apr 1947

27-07-2007, 08:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 629	Dogs appear quite often in pictures. Is it true by the way that all army dogs drunk beer ? Here's an illustration of a Canadian and his dog (with a Norton, surprise, surprise !) ...and New Zealanders (with G3 Matchlesses).

27-07-2007, 10:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,698	Some great photos on the IWM site. IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive Just search for PET for 38 photos some are from 1914-18.

03-09-2007, 07:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Middlesbrough, UK Posts: 1,362	Ron, did you ever find out who it was who smuggled the Parrott?

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