The Bear, the War, and the Children’s Classic

para. 1: "Lt. Harry Colebourn made a crucial contribution to the world of children’s literature and culture, even if it was wholly unanticipated. The historical events that brought together the bear and the author of one of the most enduring classics of children’s literature (not to mention a global popular culture phenomenon) are by now widely known: while travelling by train to Valcartier Quebec, where he would join the Veterinary Corps, Colebourn purchased a female black bear cub in White River, Ontario from the trapper who had shot its mother. He named the cub “Winnie” after his hometown of Winnipeg, and brought her with him when he shipped out to England at the beginning of World War I. The cub became the unofficial mascot for the Fort Garry Horse, the regiment to which Colebourn was attached as a veterinarian. When he was deployed to France, Colebourn left Winnie in the care of the London Zoo; by the time he was able to return to London after completing his service some four years later, Winnie had become an extremely popular attraction at the zoo, prompting Colebourn to donate the bear permanently. Winnie remained one of the London Zoo’s most beloved inhabitants until her death in 1934."