18 November 2025
Remembrance Day, which pays tribute to those who lost their lives in service of their country in war, was observed on Friday, 14 November, at Clifton with a touching twist as the school focused on the price paid by animals – including horses, dogs, and pigeons – which has been, all too often, forgotten.
In attendance were, among others, representatives of the Navy, Air Force, Metro Police, Veterans of the SA Legion, The Air Force Association, Naval Officers’ Association, and The Gunners’ Association.
The human toll of the First World War was approximately 16-million people, but, as Clifton learner Benjamin Gooch shared in an insightful and educational address about the contributions of animals, it also cost eight-million horses their lives.
“I ask each and every one of you to spare a thought for the animals who helped to bring us peace, but who had no choice in doing so,” he said.
Representatives from the Durban Metro Mounted Unit, Superintendent Jonathan Foster and Inspector Jeffrey Gunter, were in attendance with their horses, Lady Light and Chanel, while the SAPS Durban Dog Unit was represented by Inspector Deon Carstensen, who was accompanied by Zena, his dog.
Gooch shared an interesting story that reflected both the cruelty of war and the loyalty of dogs about the Soviet Army, which trained dogs carrying explosives to run up to tanks. These, then, exploded, killing the dogs and damaging the tanks.
Unfortunately for the Soviets, their plans backfired badly when the dogs recognised the Soviet tanks they had been trained on and ran towards them and not those of the German invaders, thus resulting in Soviet casualties.
Friday’s proceedings also included a release of pigeons, who played a major role in delivering messages during war time. “They carried lifesaving communications when all other communications failed,” Clifton Prep Principal, Jason Brown, said.
The pigeons had to negotiate enemy fire and hawks trained to kill them to pass on their messages, but more often than not they succeeded in their harrowing tasks.
“I ask each and every one of you to spare a thought for the animals who helped to bring us peace, but who had no choice in doing so,” Benjamin Gooch said.
“There is certainly something that we can learn from these animals. They showed great courage in the face of adversity, not because they understood the wider implications of their actions, but simply because they were loyal to their owners and handlers.
“I’m not saying we should obey and follow blindly. No, instead we should approach our lives and goals with the same dogged tenacity of these animals, who served in wars alongside us.
“We must remember and honour the sacrifices each and every wartime animal made because while they could not understand what their labouring, shivering, starving and dying was for, we do, and we are truly thankful for their service.”
Echoing a message that should be an everyday mantra, not only one considered after wars, Executive Headmaster, Clyde Mac Donald told the gathering: “May we strive for peace, unity, and understanding in our own lives…and may we never forget the sacrifices made by those who came before us.”
The Remembrance Day Service included a reading of the Roll of Honour, recalling the supreme sacrifice paid by Clifton boys during times of war.
It concluded with members of the various military and police units laying wreaths in memory of those who gave their lives in a time of war that we could live in peace.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
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