Gander

Gander – PDSA Dickin Medal 55

Date of Award: 27 October 2000

Gander was a 65kg Newfoundland dog whose military career began as the Regimental mascot for the 1st Battalion, Royal Rifles of Canada in 1940. When the unit was posted to Hong Kong, Gander was promoted to Sergeant and went along to support troops fighting the Japanese invaders.

The Battle of Lye Mun in Hong Kong began on 8 December 1941 and Gander was in the thick of the action. On at least three occasions, while his unit fought alongside Commonwealth colleagues defending the island, he directly attacked the enemy.

As he was black, and the action happened at night, he gained an almost mythical reputation with the Japanese soldiers. Appearing out of the dark night, growling and snapping at the enemy’s heels, he forced the attackers to ‘hightail it out of there,’ according to one of his regimental colleagues. When Canadian prisoners of war were captured later, the Japanese questioned them about the ferocious ‘Black Beasts’ they thought the Allies were training for warfare.

He saved multiple lives during the battle, guarding wounded soldiers and twice single-handedly stopping enemy advances. His final brave act sadly cost him his life. A grenade landed near a group of seven wounded soldiers. Gander immediately leapt forward, picked the grenade up in his mouth and ran towards the enemy. The grenade exploded, killing Gander but saving the lives of his wounded colleagues.

Gander’s astonishing action was recognised almost 60 years later, following representations from Hong Kong Veteran Associations and the Canadian War Museum.

Awarded a PDSA Dickin Medal on 27 October 2000, the citation read: “For saving the lives of Canadian infantrymen … in December 1941. On three documented occasions, Gander … engaged the enemy as his regiment joined The Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters “C” Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the island. Twice Gander’s attacks halted the enemy’s advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a final act of bravery, the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without Gander’s intervention, many more lives would have been lost in the assault.”

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