Messenger Dogs in the Field 105 



" At the taking of Villers Bretonneux in August ' Lloyd ' 

 arrived in 10 mins. i\ kilos, after being released and was 

 slightly wounded in fore leg, the message stating that 

 ' their objective had been taken.' ' Whitefoot ' ran the 

 distance in 12 mins. with a message asking for stretcher 

 bearers or R.A.M.C. men. 



" During October the enemy was falling back, and we 

 were moving every other day although we still kept running 

 the dogs. On Oct. 14th the dogs were taken to the firing 

 line and had to cross the Canal by boat. They were 

 liberated on the 16th by the Scottish Rifles. No. 59 

 message was ' they were still advancing.' Time 65 mins. 

 — distance unknown. ' Lloyd ' was killed by shell and was 

 found several days later. During this running, I found 

 that dogs ran faster and keener if they were on strange 

 ground, but should as far as possible have at least 10 

 hours in their new home to give good results, but in cases 

 we have run them after only 2 hours and with good results. 

 ' Whitefoot ' never failed once and was very reliable and 

 fast. ' Lloyd ' was also a good dog but not so fast. 



" In one Division on certain days there was no com- 

 munication by telephone, as they suspected the enemy of 

 tapping the wire with some instrument and the dogs did 

 the running, which was usually a list of requirements to 

 be taken up at dark as no one was allowed to travel during 

 daylight. 



" The dogs kept in good health and the food was all 

 right, and the Veterinary Surgeons were always ready to 

 give any help." 



Keeper Errington's remark on the length of time which 

 the dogs should be given in a station should be commented 

 upon. What he says is I think perfectly sound, namely 



