Ottawa - South African War Memorial/Animals in War

 

Location:  City of Ottawa     N 45.42234   W -75.69222

In Confederation Park, northeast of the fountain.

 

"The South African War Memorial is set in Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa. Thirty thousand school children donated pennies to pay for this monument to Canadian volunteers who died in the South African War (Boer War) of 1899–1902.

The monument is comprised of a bronze statue on a stone pedestal. The bronze statue depicts a man dressed in the uniform used during the South African War. He is holding a rifle and has his hat raised above his head. On the pedestal, there are two plaques. The plaques honour sixteen Ottawa volunteers who died in the South African War, in which 267 Canadians lost their lives. The monument was created by the sculptor Hamilton MacCarthy in 1902.

This memorial had previously been erected in Confederation Square near the National War Memorial 1967-8.

 

In 2012, the Animals in War Dedication was unveiled next to the South African War Memorial. The location is symbolic because Canada supplied 50,000 horses for the South African War."

"The Animals in War Dedication honours animals that served alongside their human comrades in war. It is symbolically set next to the South African War Memorial, a battle for which Canada supplied 50,000 horses for mounted troops. The footprints of dogs, horses and mules are stamped into the concrete of the Animals in War Dedication, representing the marks they left on the battlefield. Three bronze plaques depict animals in war and provide interesting facts about their roles, their sacrifices, and their unwavering loyalty. Among the roles animals have played in war:

• Mules: Carried panniers and artillery.
• Horses: Carried mounted troops and hauled field guns.
• Carrier pigeons: Delivered messages to specific destinations.
• Dogs: Used as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors, and search and rescue workers.

A bronze, life-sized statue of a medical service dog stands guard over the dedication. It is wearing an authentic replica of a medical backpack that war dogs used during the First World War. Canada’s military still employs dogs to this day. The Animals in War Dedication was created in 2012 by Canadian artist and sculptor David Clendining."

*the above taken from  https://www.veterans.gc.ca/

 

 

 

Marker text:

(top plaque)

ERECTED BY

30,000 CHILDREN OF OTTAWA

AND ADJOINING COUNTIES

IN MEMORY OF

TPTR. G. BRADLEY               PTE. W.J. LESLIE

DVR. R. BRADLEY                 PTE. F.J. LIVING

CPL. W.S. BRADY                   TPR. G.O. MANN

PTE. O.T. BURNS                     PTE. E. MCINTOSH

PTE. H. COTTON                     GNR. E. PICOT

PTE. E. DESLAURIERS           SGT. W.H. REA

PTE. W.A. HULL                       PTE. W.H.J. ROSS

PTE. Z.R.E. LEWIS                   CPL. G. THOMAS

WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

1899 - 1902

 

(lower plaque)

CE MONUMENT A ÉTÉ ÉRIGE GRÂCE À LA GÉNÉROSITÉ DE 30000 ENFANTS D’OTTAWA ET DES COMTÉS AVOISINANTS. IL HONORE LA MÉMOIRE DES PERSONNES DONT LE NOM APPARAIT CE-DESSUS ET QUI ONT PERDU LA VIE DURANT LA GUERRE DES BOERS DE 1899 – 1902.

NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION
COMMISSION DE LA CAPITALE NATIONALE

 

 

 

Animals in War Memorial:

Left side:

Animals in War

For centuries, animals have demonstrated an enduring 

partnership with humans during times of war. They have 

served as means of transportation, beasts of burden, 

messengers, protectors and mascots. Still today, dogs 

use their unique, sharply tuned instincts to detect mine 

clusters, and conduct search and rescue operations. We 

remember the contribution and sacrifice of all animals.

 

Les animaux en temps de guerre

Pendant des siècles, les animaux ont été les partenaires 

indéfectibles des humains en temps de guerre. Ils ont 

servi de moyens de transport, de bêtes de somme, de 

messagers, de protecteurs et de mascottes. Encore de nos 

jours, les chiens se servent de leur instinct exceptionnel 

pour détecter les champs de mines et mener des 

opérations de recherche et de sauvetage. Nous saluons 

la contribution et le sacrifice de tous les animaux.

 

 

Centre:

Relentless shelling in the First World War  

(1914 – 1918) left huge craters of mud and sewage. 

Horses and mules could best navigate these 

difficult conditions to supply the front and 

evacuate the wounded.

 

Les bombardements intensifs de la Première Guerre 

mondiale (1914 – 1918) ont laissé d’immenses cratères 

de boue at d’eaux usées. Les chevaux et les mules 

pouvaient mieux affronter ces conditions difficiles 

pour approvisionner le front et évacuer les blessés.

 

 

Right side:

Horse carried soldiers, and 

pulled gun carriages, supply 

wagons and ambulances. 

Many paid the ultimate price 

and their loss was mourned 

by those they served.

 

Les chevaux ont transporté les 

soldats, et tire les affûts de canon, 

les chariots d’approvisionnement 

et les ambulances. Beaucoup ont 

péri et ceux qu’ils servaient ont 

pleuré leur perte.