Mark Cropper. 🇬🇧👽✝️ 🕊🇮🇱 🚜(Reform) F.Right

As the Poppy Appeal begins and Remembrance Sunday approaches, millions of people will wear a red poppy to honour those who served, suffered and sacrificed their lives in war. But there is another poppy that carries an equally moving message — the purple poppy. 💜🐴 While the red poppy remembers the human lives lost in conflict, the purple poppy honours the millions of animals who served alongside them. Horses, mules, donkeys, dogs, pigeons and countless other animals were drawn into wars they could never understand. During the First World War, horses carried soldiers into battle, pulled heavy artillery through deep mud, transported desperately needed supplies and helped evacuate the wounded. They endured freezing temperatures, hunger, exhaustion, terrifying explosions and injuries from which many would never recover. More than eight million horses, mules and donkeys died during the First World War, a staggering reminder of the suffering endured by animals caught up in human conflict. They didn't understand why they were there. They didn't know what the fighting was about. They simply trusted the people who cared for them and continued doing what was asked of them, often until they could go no further. The purple poppy was introduced to ensure their sacrifice would never be forgotten. It is not intended to replace the traditional red poppy, but to stand alongside it, recognising that animals also paid an enormous price. The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal continues to support the Armed Forces community, while the purple poppy is promoted by animal remembrance organisations and supporters. This November, whether you wear red, purple or both, take a moment to remember the animals who had no choice, no voice and no understanding of the wars into which they were sent. They served without question, suffered without understanding and gave their lives without ever knowing why. We will remember them. ❤️💜