In a poignant tribute ahead of Remembrance Sunday, broadcaster Angela Rippon delivered a moving address at London’s Animals in War Memorial service, commemorating the millions of horses, donkeys and mules who served and suffered alongside soldiers in past conflicts.
The veteran broadcaster spoke on Friday 7 November 2025 on behalf of Brooke, the working animal charity that recognises the vital role equines played in wartime. The service, held at the Animals in War Memorial on Park Lane, brought together animal welfare charities and armed forces members to honour the animals lost to war.
Eight Million Equines Lost in WWI
During the First World War alone, an estimated eight million horses, donkeys and mules lost their lives – exposed to shellfire, gas attacks, exhaustion and disease. These animals served as the silent backbone of military operations, carrying supplies, pulling artillery and transporting wounded soldiers across treacherous terrain.
Angela Rippon, a long-time supporter of Brooke, laid a purple poppy wreath at the memorial and addressed attendees with a powerful message about remembrance and responsibility.
“Remembering these courageous working horses, donkeys and mules honours their sacrifice and keeps their story alive. They were the silent soldiers of the war,” Angela said.
“By remembering them, we help ensure their modern-day descendants are treated with care and respect. Every act of remembrance can lead to real, lasting change.”
A Personal Legacy of Kindness
The broadcaster also revealed her personal commitment to the cause, sharing that she has left a gift in her will to Brooke.
“I’ve personally left a gift in my will to Brooke, so I can help give a lasting legacy of kindness for these animals who ask for nothing but give everything,” she said.
At the service, Angela paid tribute to the courage and service of war horses, reminding the nation that remembrance should extend beyond the human cost of war.
Every Horse Remembered Campaign
Each November, Brooke pauses to honour these animals through its Every Horse Remembered campaign, remembering the millions who served in the past and illuminating the ongoing struggle of their descendants globally today.
The campaign was inspired by Brooke’s founder, Dorothy Brooke, who in 1934 was so moved by the suffering of ex-war horses she found in Egypt that she made it her life’s work to support them. With support from an appeal letter in the Morning Post newspaper, she set up the Old War Horse Memorial, which became Brooke and expanded across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Modern-Day Working Equines
Today, 100 million working horses, donkeys and mules are still vital to communities in the world’s poorest regions. They carry water, food and livelihoods – often in extreme heat or under heavy loads.
These animals earn an income that around 600 million people rely on to put food on their tables, earn a living and send their children to school. Sadly, many of them are suffering.
Brooke works with owners, healthcare providers and policymakers to create lasting welfare improvements for working animals and the people who rely on them. The charity operates across multiple continents, partnering with communities, service providers, governments and international organisations.
A Call to Action
The Animals in War Memorial service serves as both a remembrance of past sacrifice and a call to action for present-day welfare. Angela Rippon’s address emphasised that honouring the memory of war horses means ensuring their modern descendants receive the care and respect they deserve.
As Remembrance Sunday approaches, the Every Horse Remembered campaign reminds us that the legacy of these courageous animals lives on – not just in history books, but in the working equines who continue to serve communities around the world today.
For more information about Brooke and the Every Horse Remembered campaign, visit www.thebrooke.org.
