DOG NAMED WHISKY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1941, Page 2

DOG NAMED WHISKY

ON STRENGTH OF DOMINION COMPANY. VETERAN OF THE GREEK CAMPAIGN. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, September 6. Attached to the headquarters of a New Zealand infantry brigade is a dog named Whisky, a veteran of the Greek campaign, and very wise in the ways of war. Whisky was bought as a pup in Athens for a drachma, which is something less than a halfpenny. He is no casual dog who just happens to be with the headquarters company. He is included with “other ranks” in the company’s strength, has been given a regimental number and identity disc, and is always allowed for on the ration state. He is subject to regular medical examination, and has been passed fit for active service.

Officers and men at Brigade Headquarters have become very attached to Whisky in the six months which he has been with them. No one is prepared to define his breed, but “long-haired fox terrier” would be as close a guess as any. It is admitted that Whisky is being spoiled by being everyone’s pet, but he is still capable of locking after himself in action.

He accompanied the brigade on manoeuvres recently, and when darkness fell he selected a spot where the sanci was soft, and dug himself a slit trench for the night. .Whisky became very airraid conscious in Greece. At the first sound of an aeroplane he was always far ahead of everyone else in taking cover, and there was never a move from him until the raiders had passed. He heard live artillery fire a few days ago, and at the first bark of the guns he vanished into the nearest tent and commenced digging himself in. When the brigade returned from Greece, Whisky was lost during the disembarkation. War weary and lonely, he joined his own unit again a few days later at a camp some miles distant. There was talk of promotion on that occasion, but Whisky preferred to remain a private. Life in the desert is trying for a dog, especially a Greek dog. Whisky is rarely seen during the heat of the day, but on early morning parades and in the evenings he is always very frisky, for he is, after all, still a pup.