Statue of Wojtek the bear, in Duns, Scottish Borders

52 Weeks – Week 3 Soldier Bear


Statue of Wojtek the bear, in Duns, Scottish BordersLocated in the town square in Duns, one of the many statues in the Lothians and the Scottish Borders celebrating Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear who served with the Polish II Corps during WWII. In order to provide for his rations and transportation, he was eventually enlisted officially as a soldier with the rank of private, and was subsequently promoted to corporal. After the war, his regiment were stationed in the area for a time before returning to Poland. Wojtek remained in Scotland at Edinburgh Zoo until his death in 1963.