Mary - War Dog

Born: Unknown

Died: Aug 24th, 1948

She was my pride and joy. I was only 8. My father enlisted her in the Army when they called for German Shepherds. HE said we could not possibly keep a GERMAN dog when we were fighting the Germans. It broke my heart when they came for her. I never forgave my father for letting them have her.

In 1946, when she was demobbed, I felt the proudest of owners, as we had the choice of having her back or having her destroyed. I was presented at her passing out parade with all her papers and medals and a collar that was red, white, and blue, with “War Dog 1939-1945” engraved on it.

She won a medal for bravery for saving her handler from a burning building; she dragged him out by the jacket and was burned on her back and side. The second medal was again for bravery when she was shot in the hip trying to capture a German soldier, who just took out his gun and fired.

She lived to be 13 ½ years old. The picture was taken at the beach in 1946. I was 13 at the time. My father inadvertently called some prisoners that were walking along the beach “Jerry’s.” Mary rushed over and had one of them on the floor; she was astride him with teeth bared. (They filed down the dogs’ teeth when they took them for the Army; they had to hold, not bite.)

The police were called and we were told to present all her war dog papers at our local police station the next day. Dad explained that she had been trained to go for “Jerrys.”

She would play Dead. You could not see her breathing. I would go anywhere with her. I loved her so much, and she will never be forgotten for what she did for me and her country.

Jo Somerset – Bristol England