During World War I Canadian troops were on their way overseas. When the train stopped at White River, Ontario Lieutenant Harry Colebourn bought a bear cub from a hunter that had killed its mother. Lieutenant Colebourn named the cub "Winnipeg" after the town he came from. The bear became the Brigade Mascot and was called Winnie for short. When the troops moved to the Battlefieds of France "Winnie" was given to the London Zoo where he lived until 1934.
While Winnie was at the London Zoo he became a favorite attraction. He was also a favorite of Christopher Robin, son of author A.A.Milne. He named his own stuffed bear Winnie.
Christopher's father was the author A.A. Milne. A.A. Milne would tell his son bedtime stories about the his stuffed toys a bear, tiger and a pig. His wife Daphne was the one who encouraged him to put the stories in print..
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