196 British War Dogs 



West Beckham 



The following report on the watch dog doing duty with 

 this unit is forwarded for your information : 



The dog was posted outside the entrance to the Main 

 Ammunition Dump of the 223rd Mixed Brigade. The 

 possession of this dog enabled the military authority to 

 reduce the guard from fifteen men down to a patrol of seven 

 men. The dog had wonderful intelligence, — he knew the 

 footsteps of the patrol, and when hearing strange footsteps 

 he created a tremendous disturbance, thereby warning the 

 occupants of the hut a few yards away from the dog's post. 



There was no instance of prevented aggression — it had 

 become well known that the dog was on the spot, and I 

 think that this fact prevented would-be intruders from 

 attempting to gain admission to the dump. I had one man 

 told off to care for the dog — the animal got used to him — 

 but no other man dared go near him. 



In my opinion, watch dogs are a great asset in the 

 service, and I would like to see them fully utilized in the 

 peace-time army. 



(Signed) B. S. Ball, Capt. R.F.A. 

 416th Aram. Column. 



West Beckham, Holt, Norfolk, 



These reports all testify to the saving of man-power : 



Banbury 



With reference to a report on the work of the dogs — I 

 can only say that experience has proved that the factory 

 has been adequately guarded, and I am satisfied that the 

 dogs have been an important factor in the guarding of our 



