WWI Animals

Goodbye Old Man - Soldier and dying horse during WWI

Goodbye Old Man is a striking image of a soldier bidding farewell to his fatally injured horse. Goodbye Old Man was commissioned by the Blue Cross in 1916 to raise money to help horses on active service.
The artist is Fortunino Matania and it is one of his most famous war-time illustrations. Fortunino Matania (1881 - 1963) was born in Naples.
During and after the war, his work adorned many a history book. During the 1st World War Matania mainly worked for the British magazine The Sphere as their star illustrator, usually producing one full page illustration or more per weekly issue.
He was also employed by the British government and commissioned by individual British regiments. He visited the front several times which allowed him to view wartime conditions at first hand and talk with soldiers about their experiences. From sketches and memory he could then finish a painting, often within a few days.

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Patriotic Postcard - Royal Navy and British Bulldogs

Patriotic Postcard for the Royal Navy, featuring two fierce British Bulldogs and the strapline: "We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again" - a line from "Heart of Oak" - the official march of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. Date: circa 1916

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Boat, British, Bull Dog, Bulldogs, Cruiser, Dog, Ensign, Flag, Great, Heart, Jack, Naval, Navy, Oak, Pair, Patriotic, Patriotism, Royal, Sea, Submarine, Torpedo, Union, War, World, Ww, Ww 1

Battle of Vimy Ridge 1917

Pack horses of the Canadian Field Artillery carrying 18 pounder shells at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on the Western Front in France during World War I in April 1917

© Mary Evans/Robert Hunt Collection

18, 1917, 1st, Ammunition, Animal, Artillery, Battle, Canadian, Carrying, Field, France, Front, Great, Historical, History, Horse, Horses, Pack, Pounder, Ridge, Shells, Supplies, Supply, Train, Transport, Vimy, War, War Time, Western, World, Ww, Ww 1