Cats not only ate vermin in the trenches, but also were companions & mascots to the soldiers they served with. Per article written by Mark Strauss 8/22/2014: RE THIS PIC: "ENSCONSED IN AN OPENING IN A SANDBAGGED DUGOUT, A CAT, PROBABLY A MASCOT, LOOKS UP EXPECTANTLY AT THE APPROACH OF AN UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER. GALLIPOLI PENINSULA, 1915. (AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL)