1879: THE ZULU WARS!
Re-enactment of The Zulu Wars At Isandhiwana.
Dick,A British Fox Terrier
Dick - Mentioned in Dispatch - On January 22, 1879, the Zulu impis (regiments) had surprised and annihilated several companies of the British 24th Foot. Elated by their success, the Zulus hurried to attack a single company (B Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment) holding some farm buildings at Rorke's Drift.
A lucky fugitive from this previous massacre had given the post a few hours warning. There were only three officers at Rorke's Drift: one was Surgeon Reynolds, Army Medical Department, whose loyal companion was Dick, a small fox terrier.
About 4:30 p.m. over 5,000 Zulu warriors swept down on the band of British soldiers. It was impossible for the handful of men to stop the Zulus at a distance, and the attackers quickly swarmed around the buildings in hand-to-hand fighting.
Surgeon Reynolds, in the post hospital, was having a difficult time tending to the wounded while shots flew through the windows. With Reynolds was Dick.
The Zulus eventually succeeded in setting fire to the thatched roof of the hospital building, necessitating that the sick and wounded be moved into the open. Surgeon John Reynolds fearlessly continued attending to his patients. Always by his side was Dick, quite unmoved by the hail of shots and spears falling about him. The only time he left his master was to nip at the shins of an overbold Zulu.
The siege kept up until 4 am. the next day, when the Zulus retreated, leaving hundreds of their dead in the vicinity of the post. Surgeon Reynolds, among others was awarded the Victoria Cross and, specially Mentioned in the Dispatch for "his constant attention to the wounded under fire where they fell," was Dick. All who were present paid tribute to the little dog who stuck by his master's side through the whole ordeal.
1880: THE BRITISH AFGHAN WAR!
The Battle of MaiwandAnd Bobby...A White Mongel.
Bobby, was attached to the British 2nd Battalion, the Royal Berkshire Regiment, with whom he went to India when the Afghan War broke out.
He was present at the famous Battle of Maiwand in 1880 when the British were overwhelmed by an enemy ten times their number. His battalion was gradually whittled down, until they were all killed and only Bobby, who'd stood barking defiantly at the head of the gallant little band throughout the engagement, was left. Taken prisoner, he later rejoined the remnants of the regiment, at Kandahar.
Back in England, Bobby wearing a smart scarlet coat trimmed with fake pearls, he was presented to Queen Victoria. She listened to his story with rapt attention, begged to see his back where he'd been wounded, and pinned the Afghan Medal on his collar. After being taken up by royalty, Bobby became very much above himself, and refused to fraternise with any of the local dogs.
Nemesis descended in the form of a hansom cab which ran him over in Gosport. Queen Victoria is said to have cried when she heard this sad news
1882: BRITISH EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGNS
Jock of The Black Watch
Earned the Egypt Medal and Khedive's Star. Jock, a terrier who joined the Black Watch in 1882 and went with it through the Egyptian Campaigns being wounded at El Teb and Kirbekan. He earned five clasps for his Egypt Medal a scarce number to be awarded even for a man. He died in April, 1891, when about twelve years old.
1899: SOUTH AFRICAN (BOER) WAR
Scout, Proudly Wearing His 2 Medals
Scout, War DogThe Boer War, 1899 - 1902
Scout, earned both the Queen and King South Africa Medals! During the South African War 1899-1902, the Royal Dragoons were adopted by a pup on November 26, 1899, when the troopship, S.S. Manchester Port, came into harbour at Durban, Natal.
As the troops disembarked and started to eat their haversack rations, the pup became friendly and the soldiers shared their food with her. Next morning the pup hoped to beg another meal, but when she reached the dock, the men had already left for their journey upcountry. She was about to give up hope, when one of the soldiers opened the door of a carriage and she hopped in. The dog's train ride took her to Pietermaritzburg where the Royal Dragoons encamped for a week.
When the regiment saddled up to leave, the dog led the way, and so she was named Scout. In the operations leading to the Battle of Colenso (December 25, 1899), Scout accompanied the regiment on its patrol duty day and night and was always the first on parade.
At Colenso she received her first baptism of fire. On January 24 Scout was on guard at the Battle of Spion Kop and twice crossed the Tugela River during the operation. No doubt many a Boer marksman was startled to see this little dog leading the Royal Dragoons.
When peace was declared, Scout marched into Bloemfontein at the head of her regiment. She repeated this performance when the regiment went to Cape Town to embark for home and England.
After a period of quarantine, Scout rejoined the Royal Dragoons at Shorncliffe. For her services during the war, Scout was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with six bars and the King's South Africa Medal with two bars.
Billy, of South Africa!
Billy - Queen and King South Africa Medals - a brindled bull terrier, was hardly a handsome canine, but what he lacked in beauty he made up for in courage.
The dog was found in September 1900, when No.2 Company, The Royal Irish Rifles Mounted Infantry, was making raids from the Cape-Transvaal Railway on small parties of Boers. One of these expeditions took them to a farm where the only survivor was the bull terrier. He was adopted by the unit and became Billy of The Royal Ulster Rifles. Billy went into battle with the men, and in January 1901, near Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony, the dog was wounded in the leg. He tried valiantly to keep up with the company, covering as much as sixty miles a day on three legs, holding up the other paw pathetically, but eventually Billy needed a lift.
The battalion came back to Dublin for home service in January 1903. Billy attended ceremonial parades in Dublin and wore a specially made rifle coat and medals presented by the commander.
For his services in the war he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with three bars and the King's South Africa Medal with two bars. Billy died in 1915 of old age and rheumatism. He was stuffed and placed in the regimental museum.
War Hero, Pvt. Modder!
Private Modder - Earned the Queen's South Africa Medal with 6 Clasps, and the King's South Africa Medal with 2 Clasps, an farm collie, for services during the Boer War, 1899 - 1902. Pvt. Modder served with the King's 3rd Grenadier Guards.
Private Jack - Queen South Africa Medal - a dog that decided to desert the Boers and enlist in the British 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Veteran of all their engagements, he was smuggled home, given a uniform jacket, presented with his campaign medal by General Sir Reginald Pole-Carew, and granted an annuity to keep him in biscuits for the rest of his life.