98 British War Dogs 



sages brought by the dogs, besides being frequently of the 

 most vital importance, were at times of comparatively 

 minor value, such as this one with the request for socks, 

 but which nevertheless would make the greatest difference 

 to the comfort of the troops : 



" For six months the three dogs were in constant work 

 from the line. This same dog was with my Batt. 13th 

 R.H.C., at Passchandaele on Nov. 8th, 1917. The Batt. 

 had to go in and support the 3rd Canadian division. The 

 O.C. wished dry socks for his men. There was no way 

 to get a message back in daytime, he released ' Tweed ' 

 with message ' Moving forward to-night. Send socks for 

 men and some S.O.S. Lights.' " 



" Tweed's " fine behaviour at Amiens, mentioned by 

 Keeper Reid, deserves special commendation, and there are 

 other occasions that stand out particularly, when other dogs 

 did specially brilliant service. The attack at Kemmel Hill 

 brought many of them into prominence. Amongst others, 

 two dogs called " Flash " and " Boxer " deserve mention. 

 The former was a brindle lurcher, the latter was a large, 

 powerful Airedale. They were devoted to their keeper, 

 Dixon. He reported on these two dogs as follows, soon 

 after he arrived in France with them : 



" The two dogs I took out are doing well, I should say 

 exceptionally well. I have not the least hesitation in 

 saying there is not a brace of better dogs in this or any 

 other country as Messenger Dogs. ' Boxer ' the Airedale 

 is running like an engine. The lurcher bitch ' Flash ' 

 beats him on this week's running by 20 mins., which is 

 not a lot considering the breeds. The General of the 



