"BOXER," MASCOT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 287, 4 December 1941, Page 5

"BOXER," MASCOT

EGYPTIAN-BORN DOG

FOUR-CAMPAIGN VETERAN (N.Z-E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, November 1. Dogs with active service records In the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, although by no means commonplace, are not altogether uhusual. Several units are proud owners of dogs which have shared the exploits of their soldier friends in the desert, in Greece and even in the battle for Crete. Recent publicity given to the honourable record of a bull terrier named Major, whose military history dated back to pre-war days in the New Zealand permanent staff, and which as mascot of a Wellington "battalion now occupied the unchallenged position of No. 1 dog, 2nd N.Z.E.F., brought forth the diversified story of an Egyptian-born dog with sufficient experience both under fire and in training to warrant its being ranked second in the forces canine gradation list. An article by F.J.B. In the N.Z.E.F. Times unfolds, in the following words, an action-filled life story of which any mascot, quadruped or otherwise, might well be proud:— In the early days of 1940 there was found in Cairo a small pup about two weeks old. The finders were two members of an engineering unit of the Frist Echelon, Bnd N.Z.E.F., and when the find was feported back to the unit it was decided that the pup should become the company mascot. Steps were immediately taken to have the new addition placed on the ration strength and given a regimental number. Known to the troops as No. 3, he was later taken to the medical officer and passed fit for military service with the unit. As one of the main jobs of the fcmit was the making of armyfoiidges It was decided that he foe named "Captain Box Girder" a somewhat pretentious title which was duly shortened by the icoops-to ".Boxer."

A month later Boxer attended an advanced course of instruction at Mersa Matruh, his first trip into the Western Desert. Later he made further trips by troop train to that region and became well-known to the men camped in the vicinity.

In September, 1940, Boxer left with the company for active service in the desert. After a short period, during which he became accustomed to sundry bombings and the noise of enemy aircraft, he went with the company into advanced action stations during the British successes in Libya. "Boxer" always accompanied his owner on a truck, and after the assault upon Bardia he distinguished himself by travelling in the company of high Italian Army officers on their way back to the prison camps. The Italians made quite a fuss of "Boxer," and he later returned the compliment by shaking hands with them, as they wished him luck. "Boxer" later visited the towns of Bardia, Tobruk, Derna and Barce, where he received further initiation into enemy bombings and machinegun attacks. After eight months of service "Boxer" returned to Cairo for a well-earned leave. Grand Entry Into Greece His next peregrination was in a sugar bag on the deck of a cargo ship on its way to Greece. On arrival at the port of disembarkation he boldly| marched down the gangway on to the wharf wearing a jacket decorated with Italian service awards. His appearance was greeted with enthusiastic acclaim by the Greek labourers on the docks. After official leave in Athens, "Boxer" went with his unit to the vicinity of famous Olympus Pass and later visited Salonika several times with his masters. Following the heavy German raid upon the town of Larissa he was lost for three days but reported back for duty on the outskirts of the town when he was picked up by one of the company trucks.

' But "Boxer's" travels were not yet completed, for very shortly he found himself on the deck of one of His Majesty's ships on the way to Crete. "Boxer" again proved his mettle under fire by taking his share, of the blitz and- going hungry and thirsty with the rest.

On his return to Egypt he was given another desert-again. —