Five donkeys were present at the Cheshire Military Museum earlier this month to celebrate the arrival of the Purple Poppies Tour, a special exhibition which commemorates the role animals and birds have played in war.
Donkeys Colin, Diccon, William, Nell and Missy were representing the northern region of the Donkey Breed Society, who were originally gifted the crocheted poppies by a group of makers from Richmond in Yorkshire.
The poppies were subsequently combined with some additional artefacts to create an exhibition which has toured museums in northern England over the last few months. While at the Cheshire Military Museum, they will be housed in the ‘Animals at War’ temporary exhibition.
“We are very pleased to bring this interesting work to Cheshire. These animals must be remembered,” said Allison Roberts, chair of the Donkey Breed Society’s northern region.
“They experienced much horror and yet their contributions have assisted in giving us the democracy we enjoy today. We are very grateful to all the museums that have welcomed the tour in 2024.”
Penultimate stop
The tour began at the York Army Museum before moving to the Cumbrian Museum of Military Life in Carlisle and is now making its penultimate stop at the Cheshire Military Museum. In January 2025, the tour will take up residency at the Green Howards Museum in Richmond for six months.
Alongside the donkeys, there were also children’s activities and re-enactment performances and Sarah Booth, secretary of the northern region of the Donkey Breed Society, gave a short speech.
During her speech, Sarah read a letter from Nigel Allsopp from the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation who wished the exhibition, ‘the greatest success’.
“Often overshadowed by the horse, it is important to remember that donkeys and mules were the great unsung heroes of military campaigns, they were the logistical backbone of armies throughout the centuries [and] recently employed by coalition special forces in Afghanistan in mountainous terrain,” said Nigel in his letter.
The Cheshire Military Museum in Chester is dedicated to Cheshire military personnel from the 17th century through to the present day. The museum also houses the archive of the Cheshire Regiment.
