Bonzo's War (49 page)

Getty Images

Imperial War Museum

Imperial War Museum

Imperial War Museum

Blue Cross

Time Life

Christy Campbell

Christy Campbell

There were many happy end-of-war reunions when soldiers, evacuees (and war-dogs) came home. Kennel maids prepare healthy-looking dogs at Charlton for their masters' return
(above)
, while this Bristol girl is reunited with her tabby
(left)
. More than seventy years later, ‘service' animals are splendidly commemorated by the Animals in War memorial in Park Lane, but pets are forgotten. A substantial donation secured the inclusion of the PDSA's Dickin Medal in the monument while at the charity's pet cemetery in Ilford, east London, close to which three quarters of million ordinary pets were interred in a field, the memorial is humbler.