06/09/2026
Unique Tributes
Animals in War Memorial
The supporting roles of animals, in times of war, date back thousands of years. Horses, mules and dogs have assisted by transporting materials and personnel. They’ve also performed specialized tasks and assumed duties which are considered too dangerous for humans.
In 2010 Lloyd Swick, a WW2 and Korean War veteran led a group which petitioned the National Capital Commission to create a memorial honouring animals who were killed in Canadian military operations. In 2012, the completed memorial was unveiled at Confederation Park in Ottawa.
In addition to a sculpture of a dog, the memorial includes three plaques which bare dedications to dogs, horses, mules and all other animals.
One of the most famous animals to support man in battle was Gander a 130 lb black Newfoundlander, who was, coincidentally from Gander, Newfoundland. During WW2 he supported the First Battalion of Royal Rifles of Canada, in the infantry.
In the 1941 Battle of Hong Kong, a gr***de was thrown by Japanese forces landing next to a group of injured allied soldiers. Gander grabbed the gr***de in his mouth and ran away from the group. Though he was killed when the gr***de exploded, his actions saved seven lives.
In the year 2000, Gander was awarded the Dicken Medal for Gallantry posthumously which is essentially the Victorian Cross for animals. The medal is currently on display at the Canadian War Museum.
© Needham-Jay Funeral Home/CFHC Online
