RSPCA Band of Mercy Medal awarded to Private P J L Poole, Army Service Corps, 1914-1920

This modest medal was issued to members of the 'Band of Mercy', a youth organisation formed in 1875 to campaign against animal cruelty. The 'Band of Mercy' which became part of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in 1883, required its members to sign a declaration stating: 'We agree to be kind to animals, and to do all in our power to protect them from cruelty and promote their humane treatment.'

This medal belonged to Private Philip Poole. Although we know little of his story, it is likely that he was a member of the organisation as a boy, and later wore this alongside his three First World War medals. Poole served in the Army Service Corps between 1914 and 1920 and worked directly with Army horses while stationed in France.