WWI photos reveal how creatures great and small stood by Man's side as troops faced hell and fury in the trenches

  • Photographs show not how animals assisted with heavy-duty work and provided light relief for the troops
  • One officer of the 444 Siege Battery is seen smoking a pipe while stroking a kitten perched on a 12-inch shell 
  • Team of horses can also be seen dragging a heavy field gun through muddy terrain on the way to the Somme 
Striking images from the First World War have shed light on the important role played by animals during the conflict - from assisting with heavy-duty work to helping provide light relief to the troops.
Animals were a crucial part of the war effort with horses, donkeys and camels carrying food, water, ammunition and medical supplies to men on the front lines, with dogs and pigeons regularly ferrying messages.
Canaries were used to detect poisonous gas and cats and dogs were even trained to rid the trenches of rodents.
In fascinating colourised photographs, one officer of the 444 Siege Battery is seen smoking a pipe while stroking a tiny kitten perched on a 12-inch shell that dwarfs the feline in size.
A team of horses can also be seen dragging a heavy field gun through muddy terrain on the way to the Somme.
A soldier holds on to a tiny puppy - which would have provided some light relief for the troops facing the terrifying and devastating battleground 
A soldier holds on to a tiny puppy - which would have provided some light relief for the troops facing the terrifying and devastating battleground 
One officer of the 444 Siege Battery is seen smoking a pipe while stroking a tiny kitten perched on a 12-inch shell that dwarfs the feline in size 
One officer of the 444 Siege Battery is seen smoking a pipe while stroking a tiny kitten perched on a 12-inch shell that dwarfs the feline in size 
A soldier and his mule making their way through the muddy fields on the Western Front during the First World War
A soldier and his mule making their way through the muddy fields on the Western Front during the First World War
Animals were a crucial part of the war effort with horses, donkeys, mules and camels carrying food, water, ammunition and medical supplies to men on the front lines, and dogs and pigeons regularly ferrying messages
Animals were a crucial part of the war effort with horses, donkeys, mules and camels carrying food, water, ammunition and medical supplies to men on the front lines, and dogs and pigeons regularly ferrying messages
It is believed that over 16 million animals served in the First World War, used for transport, communication and companionship.
Both sides possessed extensive cavalry forces with horses and camels being deployed in desert campaigns throughout the war. Share
However, cavalry charges became increasingly difficult on the Western Front with new weapons such as the machine gun becoming increasingly common. 
It wasn't only work that animals were used for. Dogs, cats and more unusual animals including monkeys, bears and lions were kept as pets to raise morale and provide comfort amid the hardships of war. 
Dogs, cats and more unusual animals including monkeys, bears and lions were kept as pets to raise morale and provide comfort amid the hardships of war
Dogs, cats and more unusual animals including monkeys, bears and lions were kept as pets to raise morale and provide comfort amid the hardships of war
It is believed that over 16 million animals served in the First World War, used for transport, communication and companionship
It is believed that over 16 million animals served in the First World War, used for transport, communication and companionship
Field guns can be seen here being dragged by men and horses to the Somme in October 1916
Field guns can be seen here being dragged by men and horses to the Somme in October 1916
British soldiers mess around near Peronne, France, in 1918, by putting a German helmet on a horse
British soldiers mess around near Peronne, France, in 1918, by putting a German helmet on a horse
Animals on the frontline helped move equipment, run messages, find bombs and save lives on the battlefield
Animals on the frontline helped move equipment, run messages, find bombs and save lives on the battlefield
Horses carry soldiers and carts through the destruction on the Menin Road in Belgium, 1917
Horses carry soldiers and carts through the destruction on the Menin Road in Belgium, 1917
The pictures are the work of Cardiff-based electrician, Royston Leonard, 55, who has brought the images to life through colourisation.
'The idea was to show the use of animals in a war they did not start but were drawn in to by humans,' he said.
'They have been used by man in a lot of wars only to be left behind, if not killed when no longer needed.
'From moving equipment, to running messages, to finding bombs and saving lives on the battlefield to just being there giving friendship and company to the servicemen.