"Winnie-the-Pooh"

On August 24, 1914, Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, V.S., of the 34th Fort Garry Horse & Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, purchased a black bear cub at White River, Ontario, while enroute overseas. He named her WINNIE after his hometown, Winnipeg. WINNIE became the soldier’s mascot, and was left in the care of the London Zoo on December 9, 1914 while Lieutenant Colebourn served in France. In 1919, he gave her to the Zoo for permanent keeping where she was watched and loved by many, including author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher. (Information: Taken from the bronze plaque in White River, ON.)