Jim: Saves a British Town from Devastation

Jim, an Airedale, made history as a WWI Coastguard dog who saved Ramsgate, a coastal town in England, from widespread damage.

Jim on patrol on the cliffs near Ramsgate.

Jim belonged to a member of the Epple Bay Coastguard station and was trained to alert to the sound of Zeppelins. On May 16, 1915, Jim's loud barks raised the alarm of an approaching Zeppelin carrying a payload of bombs. Because of his early warnings, nine biplanes from the Royal Naval Air Service were able to chase the Zeppelin away.

According to Archivist Jennie Burgess of the Birchington Heritage Trust charity, "We are very proud of Jim in our community and he really does deserve to be recognized at last. His story has been largely lost over the years but we hope to change that... There is no record of Jim getting any honor for his actions but many feel it is time to remember what a great job he did with a posthumous award." This statement was made a few years ago, and I am unable to find if this has yet happened.

Prince: Faithful WWI Dog

Prince became famous after traveling many miles to be with his beloved master at the frontlines of France during the First World War.

In September 1914, Private James Brown joined the war, leaving behind his wife and his dog Prince (a half Irish terrier half collie mix.) That following November, Prince disappeared. Brown's wife searched for the missing dog, but when he was nowhere to be found, she wrote a letter to her husband about the unfortunate news.

Shortly after receiving his wife's letter, about 4-5 days after the dog's disappearance, Prince was once again by his master's side. According to a soldier's letter in a museum magazine, "Here the unexpected happened for on that day Prince's old master, also passing through and seeing a dog which looked very much like his own, called to him and was quickly assured that it was none other than the old friend of the Battalion." Prince managed to make his way from Hammersmith, London to the trenches in northern France.

Prince became the mascot to Brown's regiment, as well as a ratter, and continued to stay after Brown returned home. At the end of the war, the RSPCA reunited the dog with his master. Prince passed away a couple of years later in 1921.

Prince's story is recorded in a 1917 poem A Soldier's Dog written by Captain Newell, who sadly died during an airstrike in 1918:

And did you think you had left me Master,
Was it a kindly thing to do?
You tied me up in the yard for safety,
But did you think I was leaving you?
I s'pose when a man leaves a dog behind him,
He sort o' thinks that the brute won't mind,
But let me tell you that's not dog nature,
Which is altogether a different kind.

You might'nt know that I loved you Master,
The news may come as a small surprise,
But it was fact, and you could have seen it
When you looked deep down in my eyes.
For you were good, you were kind, you fed me,
Did'nt get riled at a doggies whim,
Nor lift your foot as I've heard some men do,
So I told myself, I'll stick to him.

I saw you don your uniform Master,
Soon to be off on the march again,
I thought it prime to be going with you,
But you stooped and put me on the chain.
I strove to tell you I was heart broken.
I talked, I'm sorry to say I growled,
I pleaded as plain as if words were spoken,
But off you went and I stayed - and howled.

The very next day they released me Master,
And away I bolted like a shot.
You I wanted - the missus might miss me
Little I cared if she did or not.
Off I ran till I met some soldiers
Marching along to take the train,
I fell in line, for if I kept with them
I felt dead sure to meet you again.

A funny old tyke they called me Master,
But I was as nice as I could be.
I wagged my tail to them most politely
And so they smuggled me o'er the sea.
It made me ill, I was rather frightened
On the water and out in the fog,
But I kept pretending I was happy
Bucking up like a soldier's dog.

I did'nt feel safe on landing Master,
Though deuced glad to smell earth once more.
I sneaked at night time adown the gangway,
To wag my tail on a foreign shore.
I followed the men where they were camping.
Some of them gave me my grub to eat,
And when for the front the train-load started
There was your humble under the seat.

And so I came to the trenches Master
Searching for you, Sir, just the same.
Then some-one took a look at my collar,
And there behold was my master's name.
So then at last they brought me near you,
And set me down without a remark.
I could'nt keep my tail from wagging,
And how you jumped when you heard me bark.

This is'nt Hammersmith is it Master?
The shot and shell make a rare to do.
But look in my eyes and see I'm happy,
Anywhere's home along o' you,
Take me with you out to the trenches,
Out in the shots, the mud, the rain.
I wont worry, whatever happens.
Only - don't leave me again.

A Soldier's Dog, Inspiring War Poem Acrylic Print
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Bonneau: A WWI Dog Who Belonged to a Poet

Bonneau was a stray dog in France during WWI, and was adopted by the famous poet John McCrae.

Bonneau & John McCrae

John McCrae, the writer of the war poem In Flanders Fields, served in WWI as a medical officer. He worked in the trenches, treating the injured. McCrae loved animals, and his adopted dog Bonneau would accompany him as he tended to the soldiers.

The fate of Bonneau isn’t known.

Red Poppies, In Flanders Fields Poem Poster
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Sled Dog Heroes of WWI

During WWI the French army launched a secret mission involving sled dogs. Just recently, almost 100 years later, did the French reveal information about the mission for the benefit of the documentary Sled Dog Soldiers.

Sled dogs in the French army.

The winter of 1914 was incredibly hard on the French soldiers in the Vosges mountains due to heavy snowfall. Traveling by vehicle or horse was impossible, meaning the troops could not receive important supplies such as food, warm clothes and ammunition. It also meant they could not transport their wounded soldiers.

Captain Louis Joseph Moufflet and Lieutenant Rene Robert Haas, who use to work as gold diggers in Alaska, knew sled dogs would be the perfect solution in preventing another disastrous winter. After convincing the French army to use the dogs, a secret mission was organized to bring 400 of the best sled dogs to France. They only had a few months to accomplish this feat before the winter of 1915 set in.

Moufflet went to Quebec City, Canada to find the majority of the dogs and Haas, who also happened to be an experienced musher, went to Nome, Alaska. After countless trials and tribulations, the two men found over 400 dogs.

Getting the dogs to France was not an easy task. First, Haas had to get his 100 plus dogs to Quebec. They took a boat from Nome to Vancouver, Canada, then a train to Quebec. All the dogs survived the long trip. Until the two Officers were able to find a boat to get them to France, which turned out to be quite a challenge at that time, they hid the dogs in a hangar - next to an explosive-testing facility that ended up benefiting the dogs by getting them use to explosions. Fortunately they were able to find a boat just in the nick of time. In fact, their boat was the last to leave Quebec City that winter before the St. Laurence River froze over. They arrived on the Vosges Front on December 15, 1915. Four dogs lost their lives during the 6,000 mile journey.

The dogs definitely proved to be helpful. The best distance achieved, with only nine dogs and close to 700 pounds of weight on the sled, was almost 75 miles in one day. In another successful mission, the sled dogs were able to transport 90 tons of ammunition in four days.

The sled dogs went on to help the French soldiers survive the winters and win multiple battles throughout WWI, but like humans, many died in combat.

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Strongheart: The First Major Canine Film Star

Strongheart became famous in history as the first major dog celebrity, having starred in six silent films between 1921 and 1927.

Strongheart, originally named Etzel von Oeringen, was born on October 1, 1917 in Wroclaw, Poland. The male German shepherd was descended from a carefully-bred line of police dogs, was trained in the kennels of the Berlin police department, and had a gallant record of service in the German Red Cross during the First World War. After the war, Etzel's owner could no longer afford to keep the three year old dog so he sent him to a friend who owned a reputable kennel in New York to be sold.

American director Laurence Trimble, who had achieved fame as an animal trainer for his work with Jean - the first canine film star in the US, was in search of a new dog. In the autumn of 1920 Trimble and Jane Murfin, a screenwriter for his films, bought Etzel, knowing the dog had the makings of being a star. The name Etzel von Oeringen seemed to long and complicated so it was decided by the publicity department of the motion picture studio to name the dog Strongheart.

Because Strongheart was so well trained in police methods, it took Trimble months to teach him to feel comfortable around groups of people, to have fun, and (because he was to play a dog hero) to attack gently. According to Trimble, "His human counterparts on screen were pleased with Strongheart, for even though he tore their clothes to shreds, he never left a mark of fang or nail on any actor."

Strongheart's first picture, The Silent Call (1921), was a huge success. He was loved by people of all ages and was given the star treatment when making personal appearances. He was the biggest grossing star in Hollywood during his lifetime - according to the Los Angeles Times, "...it is estimated that he has earned no less than $2.5 million since entering pictures and his income tax alone in one year was said to be $38,000."

Strongheart starred in five other films: Brawn of the North (1922), The Love Master (1924), White Fang (1925), North Star (1925) and The Return of Boston Blackie (1927). The Love Master and The Return of Boston Blackie are the only films known to survive today.

Lady Julie and Strongheart visiting a children's hospital in Boston, 1924

Strongheart produced many litters with his mate Lady Julie, a light-colored German shepherd who co-starred with him. One grandson, Lightning, appeared in several movies during the 1930s. Another grandson named Silver King also appeared in a couple of movies and made personal appearances teaching children about safety.

In 1929, while making a film, Strongheart was accidentally burned by a studio light. The burn never healed, causing a tumor to form which ultimately took his life. The beloved dog died at Murfin's home on June 24, 1929. Descendants of Strongheart and Lady Julie are still living today.

In 1960, Strongheart was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Rags: From Stray Dog to War Hero

Rags, a stray dog who lived on the streets of Paris, became famous in history as a WWI mascot with the 1st Infantry Division who helped save many lives.

Rags and Sgt. Hickman (who was with Donovan when he found Rags), 1925

On July 14, 1918, Private James Donovan, an American soldier serving with the 1st Infantry Division, was walking in Paris when he stumbled on what he thought was a bundle of rags. To his surprise, the bundle was a stray dog, a mixed breed terrier. The dog followed Donovan back to the base, which turned out to be a good thing. Donovan was late in reporting back to his unit so to avoid being punished he told the military police he was out searching for their mascot - Rags. It worked. He didn't get in trouble and Rags actually did become the mascot of his division. Rags was instantly liked by the men in the unit and was great for morale, but it soon became obvious that Rags had a lot more to offer.

When Donovan was transferred to the front line he left Rags behind to keep him safe but the dog later tracked him to the trenches. Realizing how good Rags was at finding his way around, Donovan taught him to run messages between the front line and the command when phone lines were down. Rags learned his new job quickly and performed it well. Dogs are smaller and quicker than humans, and have a better chance at dodging gunfire and getting through obstacles such as shell holes and barbed wire while delivering messages. Rags also had a unique ability at spotting breaks in the telephone lines while working alongside Donovan whose job was to repair damaged wires by shellfire. Rags would mark the spot and Donovan would fix it.

Rags was a smart dog. When he first came to the trenches he noticed the soldiers would hit the ground when they heard the sound of an incoming mortar attack so he started to do the same. In fact, with his keen sense of hearing, Rags soon became the first to hit the ground and the men quickly learned if Rags went down so did they. Many lives were saved because of Rags early warnings.

On October 9, 1918, the Germans launched a gas attack. Rags suffered leg injuries, was blinded in one eye, lost hearing in one ear and was mildly gassed. Donovan was more seriously wounded and badly gassed. Rags healed rather quickly but Donovan had to eventually be sent to a hospital in Fort Sheridan, Chicago which specialized in gas cases. Knowing how important Rags was to Donovan, people made certain that Rags was smuggled on to the ship that took Donovan back to the US.

Rags lived in the base firehouse (was even given a collar with a tag that identified him as 1st Division Rags) and visited Donovan daily in his hospital room. In early 1919, Donovan died and Rags remained living at the firehouse. In 1920, Rags found a forever home with Major Raymond Hardenbergh, his wife and his two daughters. The family moved frequently and Rags became popular at each base Hardenbergh was posted. When stationed in New York, the Army press released a story about the dog's heroic acts during the war and soon Rags became a well-loved celebrity. He was awarded ribbons and medals, and even participated in parades. In 1928, he marched down Broadway with the 1st Division troops as part of the 10th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

In March 1936, Hardenbergh informed the 1st Division that Rags had died - he was believed to have been 20 years old. Rags was a true military dog who knew how to salute the American flag. He was buried with military honors at the Aspen Hill Pet Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.

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Cigarette Dogs: Delivering Free Smokes

These World War I dogs became famous in history for delivering cigarettes to troops in the trenches.

YMCA cigarette dog

Life in the trenches during the Great War was hard, dangerous and very stressful, and cigarette smoking helped provide some relief for many soldiers. Cigarettes were found to be a more convenient form of tobacco under wartime conditions - the pack was easy to carry, and the cigarette didn't get soggy like a cigar or constantly go out like a pipe and it could be snuffed on a moment's notice and saved for later.

In the US, cigarette smoking was generally looked upon with disdain. However, with the advent of the war, attitudes towards cigarettes changed as many people came to view them as a means of offering a respite from the horrors of battle. Doctors even considered a steady supply of cigarettes as essential to maintain calm during heavy raids and times of no action. It was even written in the Journal of the American Medical Association that cigarettes help soldiers at the front deal with the strain and help prevent nervous irritation.

Groups that once opposed the cigarette became active in distributing free smokes to soldiers. The Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and the YMCA helped support the demand for the once immoral cigarette to camps and hospitals both at home and overseas. Getting cigarettes to the men in the trenches was risky so small dogs were trained to deliver them - they were faster than man and smaller targets when crossing enemy fire.

Just like all war dogs, cigarette dogs were heroes. They performed their job well and many were injured and killed while doing so. The tobacco and the friendship the dogs provided helped thousands of soldiers during a brutal and difficult time.

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