Mute Companions

The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois by Fortunino Matania
(Source)

The 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers (2RMF) next role was participating in the Franco-British Second Battle of Ypres, in the area of the March Battle of Neuve Chapelle. The day before the attack of 9 May 1915 the battalion received Absolution from their chaplain, Francis Gleeson (depicted in the famous "Rue du Bois" Matania painting). 

The British bombardment began at 5 a.m., the Munsters then pressing forward with extraordinary bravery, German fire sweeping No-Mans-Land, some Munsters audaciously charging ahead through the German lines, briefly waving a green flag on its breastwork, then moving beyond until cut off by the British artillery bombardment that followed, which killed many sheltering in shell craters. By 11 a.m. the 2RMF was withdrawn with only 3 officers and 200 men remaining, having lost 19 and 370 respectively. It was one of only two battalions to reach the German lines. But suffered the regiment's highest loss of any one day of the war, 11 officers and 140 men killed in action. It was an unsuccessful day for the British forces overall, casualties exceeding 11,000, the devastating losses exposing the British forces weakness in artillery. Morale was subsequently at a low ebb. (Source)

While doing research for something to post, I ran across a couple of things which grabbed me and would not let go. That opening painting is one. The Munsters (for such is what they were known as, Munster being one of the ancient provinces of Ireland, which contains the modern counties of Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford) were practically destroyed in the Battle of Aubers Ridge during WWI.

Most folks would notice the men and think of their fate. Some might also think of the participants in battle who really have no choice in the matter. They go because we humans take them.

Horses, mules, donkeys, dogs, cats, pigeons, oxen, elephants and other companions of we humans who go to war. They die, they suffer, many, if not most, are forgotten. As Americans we have heard many of the stories of the faithful dogs who have accompanied our men and women into battle in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many do not return, sometimes it is the human who falls. Sometimes it's the animal.

At times it is the human who mourns...

I challenge you to read this story and not shed a tear.

At times it is the faithful companion...

Dogs do mourn.

I did not know this but the British have a war memorial for those mute companions who follow us to war, on the edge of London's Hyde Park.

(Source)

It's called The Animals In War Memorial and from the looks of the website, it's a place I want to visit. Make sure you read the stories there. As a cat person, I was particularly touched by the story of Simon, ship's cat aboard HMS Amethyst.

Simon

It got very dusty at Chez Sarge, reading all the stories of the faithful beasties we take to war with us. But I lost it with this painting (also done by Fortunino Matania) and the poem which accompanied the painting at the Animals in War Memorial site.

(Source)

A Soldier's Kiss

Only a dying horse! pull off the gear,

And slip the needless bit from frothing jaws,

Drag it aside there, leaving the road way clear,

The battery thunders on with scarce a pause.

Prone by the shell-swept highway there it lies

With quivering limbs, as fast the life-tide fails,

Dark films are closing o’er the faithful eyes

That mutely plead for aid where none avails.

Onward the battery rolls, but one there speeds

Needlessly of comrades voice or bursting shell,

Back to the wounded friend who lonely bleeds

Beside the stony highway where he fell.

Only a dying horse! he swiftly kneels,

Lifts the limp head and hears the shivering sigh

Kisses his friend, while down his cheek there steals

Sweet pity’s tear, "Goodbye old man, Goodbye".

No honours wait him, medal, badge or star,

Though scarce could war a kindlier deed unfold;

He bears within his breast, more precious far

Beyond the gift of kings, a heart of gold.

Henry Chappell

(Source)

Tears at the heart it does...