Les Blacklock and his wife Meryl attended the remembrance service at the Animals in War Memorial, London, on Friday 6th November, representing the RPRA. They were accompanied by Mike Armitage from Pigeons in War.

The gathering was well supported, with fifty societies and organisations laying wreaths. It began with a minute’s silence, followed by speeches from a Household Cavalry representative, Angela Rippon (ambassador for The Brooke), PDSA, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, War Paws and Simon, representing Jilly Cooper’s family, who quoted from the late Jilly’s ‘9/11- 25 years on’ about two guide dogs who managed to help their blind owners to escape the inferno of the twin towers. After this the wreaths were laid.

To finish, Mike – a long time staunch supporter of this event – had the honour of liberating two pigeons, assisted by Jan from the PDSA. This brought a rapturous round of applause.