War Dogs Are

[griff]

On ANZAC DAY we also must remember the K9 soldiers

The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) Saturday 28 December 1918

DIgger, THE DOG.

...

'Digger,' a bulldog that left Australia on board the Argyllshire in October, 1914, and is now the only surviving mascot of the original lst Division, has returned to Sydney.

If he could speak he could say that he has been over the top 16 times says the Sydney correspondent of The Melbourne Herald). He was in the landing on Gallipoli, went through Lone Pine, and was in the evacuation.

Afterwards he went to France with the boys, and at Pozieres was wounded and gassed.

He returned to the division again, and out in two winters with it, being gassed again in the Ypres battle.

Men who know him say that as soon as the gas alarm sounded Digger would rush up to, his nearest human comrade and make signs that he wanted his mask fitted.

But he was not a mere show dog. When a man was lying wounded out in front and no one could reach him, Digger would be sent out with artificial foods, and if it was possible for the man to write he would bring a message back.

He bears the marks of his wounds. A hole in the top of the lower jaw, three teeth gone, blind in the right eye, deaf in the left ear. He had to be put under chloroform to have the bullet extracted.

No one company or battalion can ever say that they owned Digger. He belongs to the 1st Division. Sometimes he would be with one battalion, next week with another. Then he would take up with a battery of artillery for a -while.

While convalescent in England he transferred to the flying corps. On one occasion he went up 8,000 ft. with the late Flight-Lieut. Gibba, and has, they say, flown all over England and Scotland. He always was a venturesome dog, but he was invalided home a couple of months ago, and now has to lead a more or less humdrum life.

However, so his present keeper says, he could not be kept in on the day of the news of the Armistice. He caught a train to Sydney to knock around with the boys and,' several days later, had to be bailed out of the Dogs' Home for half a crown. He had the reputation of being a hard drinker 'over the other side.'

His was a common face in the wet canteen and estaminets.

The 1st Division has allowed him to go into the custody of Sgt. J. H. Martin, also a returned Anzac, who since the war has lost a mother, father, two brothers, and a sister— the last three on active service.

It was thought that the dog might be some consolation for him.

Sources;

National Archives/

Item details for: B2455, MARTIN J H

Australian War Memorial

[shirra]

Thank you for sharing.

[Sheridan]

Brilliant story, thanks for sharing it.

[Loving my Oldies]

An amazing photo and a story written with love and humour and respect.

[trinabean]

A beautiful story, and one that I had not read before. Thanks for sharing it. :)

[westiemum]

Brilliant Griff, thanks

[mita]

That's a great story.

There's a book that was published in recent times by the National War Museum in Canberra.

Called A is for Animals: A to Z of Animals in War.

Has pics & explanations about all kinds of animals alongside Australian service people from WW 1 up to present. Don't know if still available.

Two books that are:

The Diggers' Menagerie: Mates, Mascots & Marvels... True Stories of Animals Who Went to War.

by Barry Stone

Australian War Dogs: The Story of Four-legged Diggers.

by Nigel Allsop

http://www.australiandefence.com.au/files/dmfile/ADMBooksofInterest_ed3.pdf

Edited April 25, 2013 by mita

[mita]

Double post.

Edited April 25, 2013 by mita

[Little Gifts]

Just magic!

[gwp4me]

Thanks for sharing. :) Yes, we owe them so much.

http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/news/arts/melbourne-artist-wins-20000-dollars-gallipoli-art-prize-195122

[HazyWal]

Thanks for sharing. :) Yes, we owe them so much.

http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/news/arts/melbourne-artist-wins-20000-dollars-gallipoli-art-prize-195122

I saw this on FB gwp4me, amazing story and thanks Griff for sharing.

[Loving my Oldies]

http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/news/arts/melbourne-artist-wins-20000-dollars-gallipoli-art-prize-195122

That is just so good to see. It is wonderful how the media is more and more covering the work of animals in war.

[Nik]

This article was in the Herald Sun a few weeks back.

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/the-secret-life-of-corporal-horrie/story-e6frfhqf-1226623739187

Horrie the "Wog Dog" was the mascot for my grandfathers battalion, and was named after him (Col. Horace Plummer) He had a book written about him and the hassles that happened at the end of the war, when Horrie was ordered to be destroyed rather than given a life in Australia. Popular theory is that a similar looking dog was sprung from the pound and given the fate assigned to Horrie, and the war mascot lives his life to the natural end in the country somewhere.

[mita]

This article was in the Herald Sun a few weeks back.

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/the-secret-life-of-corporal-horrie/story-e6frfhqf-1226623739187

Horrie the "Wog Dog" was the mascot for my grandfathers battalion, and was named after him (Col. Horace Plummer) He had a book written about him and the hassles that happened at the end of the war, when Horrie was ordered to be destroyed rather than given a life in Australia. Popular theory is that a similar looking dog was sprung from the pound and given the fate assigned to Horrie, and the war mascot lives his life to the natural end in the country somewhere.

Pics of Horrie 'commanding a tank' & with his 'owners'. Says there was public outcry about order to destroy him. Seems story that he was somehow saved is true.

http://www.anthonyhillbooks.com/animalheroesmain.html

BTW Pet Rescue has the story & pic of Digger the Dog who left Australia with troops for service at Gallipoli & France. Tells about his contribution & return to Australia. Seems Digger was a real character. He lived out his days with a well chosen soldier from his Division.

https://www.facebook.com/PetRescueAU

Edited April 26, 2013 by mita