Mudlark who discovered dog collar tag in Thames raises money for memorial for pets put down in WWII

Mudlark Nicola White's discovery has inspired a memorial campaign for the 2.5 million pets that were put down during the Second World War
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A mudlark's chance discovery of a rusting old dog collar tag has inspired a campaign to dedicate a memorial to the 2.5 million pets that were put down during the Second World War.

Nicola White, 50, helped raise money for a lasting memorial to be unveiled at the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery in Greenwich, in memory of a little-known aspect of the war.

The campaign was launched after she discovered the Blitz-era tag near the Thames in July last year inscribed with the name “Bonzo”.

Her investigation into the find led her to author Clare Campbell, who wrote about the mass pet euthanasia in her book Bonzo’s War: Animals Under Fire 1939-1945. Together they decided to raise funds for a memorial.

In one week, as many as 750,000 pets were killed after a 1939 government pamphlet drafted by the National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee advised pet owners: “If at all possible, send or take your household animals into the country in advance of an emergency.”

Discovery: Nicola White found Bonzo’s tag in Thames mud
Nicola White

It ended: “If you cannot place them in the care of neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed.”

The advice was printed in newspapers around the country and announced on the BBC by someone from the Ministry of Home Security, which many people acted on immediately.

When the war began, hospitals belonging to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals were overwhelmed by the number of owners who went to have their pets euthanised.

The Blitz in Colour

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Ms White said: “When I first spotted a round edge poking out from behind a rock in the Thames mud at low tide, I thought it was a coin, and then a shopping trolley token.

“However when I cleaned it off I could see the faint outline of some letters. My heart leapt as soon as I realised there was a name and an address.

“This for me is the most exciting kind of mudlarking find as it can bring back to life a story from the past.

“In this case, the story of a well-loved dog called Bonzo Tabner who lived in Pelton Road in Greenwich during World War Two.”

Ms Campbell told in the book how the “catastrophe” was caused by people who were worried about bombing and food shortages, and that having a pet was a luxury and a burden at the time.

She told the Standard: “It’s a lovely feeling to see this simple, dignified memorial to humble pets after so long.”

A second plaque with an image of Bonzo’s dog collar tag will also be unveiled, with a third paying tribute to all animals which have lost their lives in conflict.

They will be unveiled at the Old Blue Cross Pet Cemetery on Saturday.

  • For further information visit oldbluecrosspetcemetery.org.uk

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