I agree wholeheartedly with the Church, Gask and Whitmore families (Mailbox, November 14), and join them in commending the Mercury for enabling readers to place tributes in memory of loved ones.

I'm also grateful to them for remembering the role of animals in war.

This year on Remembrance Day, people gathered at the Animals' War Memorial, in London, for what is thought to be the first 'all-inclusive' Remembrance service in the UK, and which looks set to become an annual event.

For centuries, animals have been the hidden victims of war; their contribution often overlooked. However, over the last few years, a campaign has been gathering momentum which seeks to have their sacrifice and suffering more widely recognised.

This was helped greatly by the Imperial War Museum's Animals in War Exhibition, and also upon the completion and dedication of the Animals' War Memorial in 2004.

I was privileged to have been involved in the inauguration of this event, having been asked to write a special Prayer of Remembrance. I also began work on a hymn, which is sung to the tune – Thaxted (better known as I Vow to Thee my Country) Both were used for the first time at the service, which was led by Rev James Thompson, from Wales, the Animals' Padre.

Anglicans, Catholics and Quakers were among those represented, while from the theatrical world, Jenny Seagrove and Miranda Richardson were present.

Two minutes' silence was observed at 11am for all the fallen; both human and animal.

While the human casualties of war are so rightly honoured, we should also remember the millions of animals which suffered alongside them on the battlefields.

Linda J Bodicoat, Earl Shilton.