A new exhibition at the Cheshire Military Museum is honouring the role of animals in World War I and other conflicts.

The temporary exhibition, part of the Northern Region of the Donkey Breed Society's 2024 tour, brings together stories of horses, donkeys, mules, dogs, and pigeons, using writings, poetry, artwork, and artefacts.

Visitors can see the Society's crocheted purple poppies, crafted to highlight the contributions of animals and birds in war and peacekeeping activities.

These poppies were gifted to the Society's Northern Region and will now be seen by a wider audience.

On November 16, the museum in Castle Square, Chester, will welcome donkeys Missy, Colin, Diccon, William, and Nell, along with other animals, for a day of informative activities.

This marks the final stop of the collection's tour of three northern military museums, after the York Army Museum and Cumbria's Museum of Military Life.

The display will then move to The Green Howards Museum in Richmond, North Yorkshire, in January 2025.

Sarah Booth, secretary of the Northern Region of the Donkey Breed Society, said: "We are honouring in this exhibition at Chester, the estimated 16 million animals that took part in World War I.

"Their versatility, adaptability and bravery were astonishing.

"Animals were also used in WWII.

"In more recent conflicts, explosives detection and search and rescue dogs have also been deployed."

Caroline Chamberlain, curator of Cheshire Military Museum, added: "We are thoroughly looking forward to meeting the donkeys.

"Alongside Sarah, we have been collecting some amazing anecdotes, shared by the public, and building an interesting picture of the bravery displayed by animals in war.

"We have been working on this new exhibition for some time and it is fantastic to see it come to life with contributions from many supporters.

"We thank them and would encourage everyone to come and find out more about the roles played by these animals and others and why it is so important that we remember the sacrifices that were made."

The exhibition runs through November and December and can be visited Thursday to Sunday.