Corporal Jackie

Corporal Jackie was a baboon in the South African army during World War I.[1] He was made their mascot when his owner was drafted into war, and would not leave Jackie at home. Jackie received various injuries during the war such as having shrapnel lodged in his leg and arm, along with having his right leg blown off. Jackie was trained to salute when he saw a superior officer. After the war, Jackie was given the rank of corporal, and the Pretoria Citizens Service Medal, then he died a year later in a home fire.



Corporal Jackie poses for a portrait in his official uniform

[...]

When Marr was serving in Egypt he was shot in the shoulder at the Battle of Agagia, 26 February 1916, while Jackie was with him, licking the wound as they awaited help.[3]

Jackie was given his own rations while with the army and ate them with his own knife and fork, as well as his own washing basin. When the regiment was drilled and marched, Jackie would be with them.[3]

Jackie spent time in the trenches in France where he tried to build a wall around himself during extreme enemy fire, but a piece of shrapnel from an explosion flew over the wall hitting Jackie in the leg and arm.[2] When stretcher bearers tried to take Jackie away he refused, desperate to finish his wall and hide.[3] Doctors treated Jackie's wounds, but they decided his leg had to be amputated and were surprised that he even survived.[2]

Jackie was awarded a medal of valor for the event of his injuries and promoted from private to corporal. After the war was over, Jackie was discharged with papers at the Maitland Dispersal Camp in Cape Town. Jackie was not the only baboon made part of the South African army, but he was the only baboon to achieve the rank of private or higher.[2]

[...]