ARMOURED UNIT’S MASCOT

Southland Times, Issue 25514, 7 November 1944, Page 5

ARMOURED UNIT’S MASCOT

How Terrier Was Brought To New Zealand

Under a veil of secrecy an Egyptian dog was last week “imported” to the Dominion. While his name did not appear on any official lists, a black terrier, well known to New Zealand troops in North Africa, Syria and Italy for the past four years, suddenly made his appearance on the Dunedin Railway Station when a draft of soldiers arrived back from the Middle East. The terrier, mascot of an armoured unit, is a veteran of many campaigns, from the early desert days until he was pulled out of the line at Arezzo, Italy. Wearing a New Zealand badge, an Bth Army Star, Bth Army Clasp, four service chevrons and a few other decorations, this unofficial passenger from Egypt was required to overcome many obstacles before making a successful landing in New Zealand.

Dogs are not allowed to be taken aboard ship. There were quarantine difficulties and military threats, so a plan of campaign was carefully mapped out. His enthusiastic owner decided that a period of strenuous training was required, and while at Maadi the terrier was carried and bounced about in a kitbag and made to lie still for hours without making a noise.

For almost a month the mascot went through this routine, and in the several weeks’ sea voyage which followed, his training certainly stood by him. For days on end the kitbag in which he was kept did not betray any sign of life, but in the evenings he was given some exercise under cover of darkness. When the military police and naval authorities made a search there were some anxious moments, as well as visions of a dog being thrown overboard, but the whereabouts of the mascot was not revealed.

It was a pleased owner who stepped from the train at Dunedin—kitbag, terrier and all. He had at least achieved something several others had attempted without success.