ARMY PETS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 83, 9 April 1910, Page 10

ARMY PETS.

REGIMENTAL ROMANCES. The fate of the regimental pet of the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles is a reminder of the almost romantic attachment of many corps to all sorts and conditions of animals, and even birds, which share their fortune, good or ill, in peace and in war, and of whoso careers some memorial is frequently preserved for many years after they have died. In tho case of the Irish Rifles, the pet has not died, says a writer in tho Telegraph, but has had to witlulraw into civil life in disgrace, owing to on unfortunate contretemps with a butcher's boy. These useful and active members of society are not infrequently lacking in the quiet repose and restrained strength of the "perfect gentel knight," and the member of the class who has been responsible for the banishment from the Army of Biliio, tho Irish Rifles' brindled bulldog, is said to have begun the quarrel. He is reported to have stoned this valuable member of the Army, who had more medals than most- privates. He exhibited a sad want of respect for Billic's notable war career, for he had passed unscathed through the Boer campaign On the other hand, it takes two to make a quarrel, and in this instance, if the butcher's boy was tho assailant, Billie was apparently not unwilling to enter the lists. He could not throw stones as another boy would have done, and he took the only means of defence open to him, chasing this troublesome youngster and biting him. This is the story. It may be that thero was fault on both sides, but Billie has the most severo punishment, although his may not hove been the most grievous error of conduct. He has been sent away from Dover, where tne regiment is now stationed, and the Rifles will never again parade with this veteran companion, his collar bedecked with medal*, in th« forefront, the cynosure of every eye. The close of .this bulldog's career with the colours recalls the fate of a far more remarkuble pet belonging to the King's Own. Some yean ago thi* corps was presented with tv particularly fin* specimen of a Canadian bear. It was as übiquitous aa Mary's famous lambeverywhere the regiment went the bear was sure to go. It was nominally in charge of an Irishman, but the animal was mo w»ll developed and muscular that it might more appropriately bo said that the bear was in charge of the man. Whatever the exact character of the relations between the two, they were toon inseparable, and the private vronld claim that his companion was more civilised and faithful than most of the men in the regiment. The devotion of the animal to his guardian, Larry, became in time the most singular feature of regimental life, and when the man waa asleep on a drowsy summer afternoon the bear wodM watch over him with unflagging attention, warning off any who would disturb his master's siesta. They were the beat of friends always, and for the amusement of the regiment they were wont to enact wrestling matches, the bear thoroughly entering into tho spirit of the friendly contest. The animal certainly had the sporting instinct very well developed, and theio contest* never had any untoward result, so faithfully did the animals understand the rules governing the game. BRUIN'S FATAL DRINK. At last the end came, owing to the unwisdom of Larry and two other men, who were charged to take care of their favourite during the railway journey from Chester to Aldershot, when tho regiment' was being transferred from tiiis Midland garrison town to the couth. Bruin and his companions were in a carriage by themselves, and for a short time peace reigned. The journey was, however, unavoidably interrupted about six miles outside Chester, owing to a misunderstanding between the pet and his guardians. Tho latter had looked forward to the journey as an occasion for a "spree," and they not only had some spirituous liquor themselves — to wit, some rum — by way of refreshment, but they permitted — or rather, tempted — Bruin to have some also. The result was us might havu been expected. Bruin's heart was strong, but hi* head was weak. He was intended for a lifelong total abstainer ; like Bill, in one of W. W. Jacob's illimitable stories, he did | not know his hticngtli, and his companions suftVicd accordingly. The drink Lot to hit head, he became obstreperous, bit bit companion*, and Anally eioaped I Tho regimental surgeon attended the

wounded mon, and to his dismay he lrarnt that they had given the bear a 4onf> drink of rum, without thinking of what tho effect would be. On arrival at ltugby the colonel received a telegram from the police at Cheater, stating that ike bear had returned to the city, where it had been regarded as mad, and in<stanUy shot. Its head adorned the officers* mess for marry years, while a hairdresser bought tho carcase, and "The King's Own Bear's Grease" is reputed 1 to have made a largo addition to his inI come. Tho 17th Lancers also for many years had a bear as their pet. Its mother was shot in Cashmere by Prince Adolphus !-of leek, who brought the cub to Lucknow, where the regiment was stationed, and gave her as a present to his troop. The beast soon became the special pride of the Lancers, until one day, to ©veryone's dismay, it could not he found. Tho pet had been given up as lost, when a m«n came to tho station with a very intelligent performing bear, and this animal the troopers recognised as Lizzie, their tormer companion. They at once took steps to regain possession of her, and for many years she continued a member <of the regiment, living the simple hfe, and eating chiefly bread and milk, ja*M and fruit, and thus escaping from toottteohe, fjoat, and all the other ills which vecetanaos attribute to a flesh diet. One idiosyncrasy even this pet*^ a model in its diet — soon acquired ; it got into the habit of daily visiting the canteen, and was duly served with a pint of beer, which it consumed with relish. THE WELSH FUSILIERS' GOAT. As a rule, regimental pets are animal* which aro more easily domesticated, such as the goat- of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who have long enjoyed the privilege of leading their pet, with a shield on its horns, at the head of the drums. On St. David's Day, after dinner, the drummajor, accompanied by Billy, enters the mess-room with a dish of leeks. He solemnly makes the round of the table, followed by the goat, and offers the nation*)! vegetable to each officer. Even in the cssse of such a pet accidents, however, sometimes have happened. Once a drunuaer-boy, a light-weight, was on the goat's back, when somo incident annoyed the animal, and the youngster was summarily thrown on the mess-tabte and killed outright. Probably the Royal Fusiliers have had a pet for a longer period than any other corps ; indeed, it is said that the custom dates back considerably over a hundred years, and during tho reign of Queen Victoria, when ono goat disappeared by death, her Majesty herself presented a successor. One of the Lancer regiments imitated the Welsh Fusiliers, and obtained a goat in South Africa some years ago, which had a remarkable career in peace and war, and acquired a grievance which would have been a crown' of glory to a Nationalist M.P. This animal went through the Matabele campaign with the regiment, and, though several times under fire, escaped without a scratch. When the regiment was ordered home the goat, of course, accompanied it, and, to the amazement and anger of tho troopers, on the transport, reaching Southampton tho Board of Agriculture, disregarding tho pet's honouiablo record, refused to permit it to bo landed. There was consequently nothing to be done but to leave tho anitaial on board ship, and thus it came to make the voyage out to Bombay on the transport's next "tour," and when it again returned to England, ono of the most travelled goats that had ever existed, Colonel O'Callaghan, Chief Ordnance Officer in the Southern District at that time, had agreed to take pity on the animal, and the Board of Agriculture allowed him to provide it with an asylum at the gun wharf at Portsmouth. THE COLDSTREAMERS' GOOSE. A dog is the favourite pet in the Army ; man's best friend, he is certainly Tommy's most liked companion. Ouo of the most famous was Bobby, of the 66th Regiment, who wont through tho Afghan campaign, in which bo was wounded. When: tho regiment returned home tho fa it hi ul animal was taken to Osborne, and thero decorated by Queen Victoria with the medal. During the South African War tho colonial contingents took to themselves pets as regimental companions. The South Australians had a huge St. Bernard, and the New South Wales Bushmen also had a dog, which went through* the war, sharing the corps' fortunes. Possrbly tho most remarkable creature ever attached to a regiment waa Peter, the ever-famous goose of tho Col d*t ream Guards. This curious pet was presented to the Coldstreams when they wero in Canada by tho late Hon. Adolphus Graves, and boon it acquired a fame which eclipsed that of all rivals in the Army. When tho guard was mounted of a morning Peter always marched off with them. It is recorded that ono night the goose saved a sentry's life by flying in the faco of a rebel Who was lust going to tiro at the soldier. Peters timely aid disconcerted the rebel, who fired r.t random. The sentry immediately responded by shooting the rebel dead. When the Guards came homo and were quartered in London, one of the nights when the regiment marched ont was to see Peter strutting at the head of the battalion till they passed the barrack gate, when the goose returned. Unhappily Peter's fate was unheroic j his end waa ill in accord with his martial career, for he waa ran over and killed by a cab, and that not even a taxicab. It was a poor kind of an end for a bird with such a record. Even the banished brindled bulldog of the Royal Irish Rifles may hope for less inglorious fortune thsn this, now that he has been banished from Dover to a country house, where, sfwsy from troublesome butcher boyi, he may learn in quiet to bear the ill* of lifo without losing hi* temper.