PETS

You might have noticed them sitting in the group photos or maybe they're playing around with some of the members of the units. Somehow they've managed to smuggle a dog onto Yorke Island or maybe they've adopted one of the local animals. For whatever reason, they deserve to be remembered as well.

31 Battery - 1939
The unit had only recently been activated.  There's three dogs in the photo (One is a black lab, somewhat hard to make out in the shadow) Possibly there hadn't been time to find a home for the family pet before reporting? Or is the fact the Battery was stationed in Stanley Park, so close to home?

31 Battery - 1941
A couple of years into war time. The unit has new uniforms and the dogs have been reduced to one! (Wonder what happened to the others?)

85th Heavy Battery - Yorke Island - January 1941
George the dog is in the picture. Unfortunately his image got caught on the fold in the original. Can you tell what breed he is?

58th Heavy Battery  - Point Grey
Three more dogs with the 58th!

Honorary Master Bombardier Francis became the unit mascot in 2014 when his master, Lieutenant-Colonel Brent Purcell became Commanding Officer. "He was the sweetest and most loyal dog I have ever had the honour of calling my friend", says LCol Purcell. Sadly Francis passed away from cancer in February 2018.