Britain’s most unusual war heroes — including glow worms, elephants and monkeys — will be honored on Wednesday for their devotion to duty under fire.
The Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth’s daughter, will unveil a war memorial in London’s Park Lane dedicated to all the animals and insects that endured hardship with the nation’s armed services.
“Britain’s Animals in War memorial is a nation’s long-awaited and very welcome tribute to the millions of animals that have served and suffered for their country,” said Marilyn Rydstrom, head of the PDSA animal charity.
Among those honored will be glow worms whose light was used by soldiers to read maps during the trench warfare of World War One.
The stone memorial bears the profiles of creatures from bears to monkeys — kept by soldiers as mascots — and will be the most prominent tribute to animal bravery in Britain, a nation often mocked for loving its pets more than its children.
In 1943 the founder of the PDSA created the Dickin Medal to honor acts of outstanding animal bravery. The medal, dubbed “the animals’ Victoria Cross” — Britain’s highest award for human bravery — has been granted to 60 animals.
One distinguished holder of the medal was Rob, the “para dog” who made over 20 parachute drops while serving on top secret missions behind enemy lines in World War Two.
Another brave canine was Ricky, who continued to work clearing mines in Holland despite severe head injuries.