Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
It got injured in battle, and got a hero’s honor.
It got injured in battle, and got a hero’s honor.
Animal heroes of war
Throughout history, animals have played a pivotal part in war with horses giving cavalry an advantage, carrier pigeons delivering important intel and dogs finding explosives before they explode.
But sometimes, reality surpasses imagination.
Enter Jackie, the baboon
Albert Marr discovered Jackie, a young chacma baboon, wandering near his farm outside Pretoria.
He took the orphan in and raised him as part of the family.
Joining the regiment
In 1915, Marr enlisted in the 3rd South African Infantry Regiment and shockingly received permission to bring Jackie along, making him the unit’s mascot.
Adopting soldierly habits
Jackie wasn’t just a companion—he was given a uniform, cap, pay book, rations, and even a ration card like any other soldier.
He learned to salute officers, stand at ease, march in drills, and even use utensils during meals.
Morale booster & sentry
Jackie entertained the men by lighting cigarettes and was invaluable on night patrols—his sharp senses could detect enemy movement early..
Battle of Agagia (1916)
In Egypt, Marr was wounded. Jackie stayed by his side, licking his wound until help arrived—a moment that turned Jackie from mascot to comrade.
Western Front service
Jackie and Marr endured trench warfare in France and Belgium, including being part of assaults and enduring harsh conditions.
Grave injury & amputation
Under heavy shelling in Belgium (circa April 1918), Jackie allegedly tried to build a stone shelter, was wounded by shrapnel, and ultimately had his leg amputated under chloroform—but remarkably survived.
Hero’s honors
Jackie was promoted to Corporal, awarded for bravery, and upon return home, wore chevrons and a gold stripe on his uniform for frontline and wounded service.
He also received the Pretoria Citizens Service Medal in 1920.
Return & tragic end
Discharged in Cape Town in 1919, Jackie toured and fund-raised with Marr, becoming a celebrity.
He returned home to South Africa but sadly died in a house fire in 1921, deeply mourned by Marr and the community.
Please note
The story of Corporal Jackie is told far and wide and many different sources tell the story.
However, there is a lack of official historical records about the details of story, like the cause of Jackies demise.
So the story is very likely to have roots in the truth, but it is possible that some details have been changed through retellings, making them not 100 % accurate.
