He was placed in a zoo for safekeeping when the regiment went on to France, and in this period Winnie became a great favorite with the English zoo-going public.
Winnie was the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh. 
mnli hypothesis: Winnie was the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh.  premise: He was placed in a zoo for safekeeping when the regiment went on to France, and in this period Winnie became a great favorite with the English zoo-going public.