A is for Animals

Until 22 July 2009 in the Special Exhibitions Gallery

A is for Animals offers an A to Z of animals in war, from mascots and messengers to creepy-crawlies. Animals are put to many uses in war. Sometimes they have jobs to do: the horses, camels, mules, and donkeys used to transport soldiers and equipment, as well as carrier pigeons and tracker dog with their special talents. Often animals are used as mascots and pets, or as symbols on badges and flags. A is for animals also looks at those unwelcome animals, such as insects, rats, and wild creatures, that make life in the field even more difficult and dangerous.

The exhibition has been developed with a young audience in mind, but visitors of all ages will enjoy its fascinating and moving stories.

Have a look at the A is for Animals segment on ABC's Collectors.

001117_2 001117Captain Michelson with Tim the turtle.

A03962Matron E J Gould, Miss P Frater, Miss J Bligh Johnston and "Buller".

052601_2 052601"Whacko" the parrot and "Cobber" the dog

P00812_018_1 P00812.018Corporal Holland and camel.

P01835_014_2 P01835.014Driver Farrell with 'Jack'


012553_1 012553Mrs Sweazy and a barn owl.

DNE_65_0235_VN_1 DNE/65/0235/VNA young monkey with Corporal Elder.

140163_1 140163A centipede from New Guinea

140486_1 140486A papier-mache cow on Mrs Mellor's car.


304910_1 304910HMAS Encounter's mascot in the muzzle of a 6 inch gun.

ARTV02497A poster reminding people of the dangers of loose talk.



ARTV03697A British poster about vermin control.

ARTV05245British Second World War poster about the danger of malaria.

ARTV06107_1 ARTV06107A French poster about chickens and their benefits.


ARTV08202_1 ARTV08202A poster advertising a carnival with a kangaroo dressed as a soldier.

C00975 C00975A German message dog captured by Australians in 1918.

P00422_010_1 P00422.010Australian trooper with horse in South Africa, 1901.

P05290_001_1 P05290.001Major General Sir Bridges and Sandy the horse.


015549 015549A pet ring tailed possum examines Department of Information movie camera.

P02173_001 P02173.001Horrie, the "Wog Dog", mascot of the 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion.

RELAWM04098_1 RELAWM04098A gas mask for a dog c 1916-1918.

RELAWM04398_1 RELAWM04398A pidgeon on a two bird pigeon trench basket.


RELAWM07953_1 RELAWM07953A soft toy kangaroo.

RELAWM31374 RELAWM31374"Monk II", a handmade monkey doll.

141684_1 141684Learning to milk on a dummy cow made of papier mache.

008196_1 008196The Pte. D.W. Jones with a donkey.