Nigel Allsopp is the founder and a director of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO). The organisation was created by a group of like-minded people to give a voice to the animals of war that have served with Australia’s defence forces in theatres of conflict and peace-keeping.
Nigel first conceived of the organization while serving alongside military dogs in Mogadishu in 1993. Prior to that time, none of the Australian animals who served overseas had been allowed to come home.
Currently, AWAMO has funded 25 memorials to four-legged and feathered diggers – including horses, pigeons, camels, donkeys, mules and military working dogs.
The majority of the monuments can be found in Queensland – including the country’s first national war animal memorial in Toowoomba – but there are plans to build memorials overseas in Papua New Guinea and Europe.
Funds are raised through the sale of AWAMO merchandise, including the unique ‘purple poppy’ which commemorates Australian animals that have given their life in military service.
