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From: "Bernard de Neumann" <>
Subject: Town pays tribute as top dog of war wins 'GC' medal
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 07:51:31 +0100


Sat 22 Jul 2006

Town pays tribute as top dog of war wins 'GC' medal

FRANK URQUHART

A BRAVE dog who became a symbol of freedom and defiance for millions of
Norwegians during the Second World War will today be honoured in the
Scottish town where he died.

Bamse, a St Bernard, will get the animals' George Cross.

The dog arrived in Britain in 1940 on one of the ships in the Royal
Norwegian Navy flotilla that carried King Hakon VII and members of his
government into exile.

Two years later, he arrived in the Angus town of Montrose when his owner,
Erling Hafto, a naval captain, took command of the Thorodd, a minesweeper in

the Norwegian navy.

The giant dog of war quickly captured the hearts of locals as his unwavering

devotion and courage under fire made him a legend among the thousands of
Norwegian sailors, soldiers and airmen in the Allied forces.

As the official mascot of the Royal Norwegian Navy, Bamse - Norwegian for
"Little One" - would take up a position in the foremost guntower at the bow
of the ship whenever the Thorodd went into battle, nver leaving his post
until the action ended.

On the 62nd anniversary of his death, Montrosians are expected to turn out
in force again today to honour him at a ceremony to mark his award of the
PDSA Gold Medal - the animals' George Cross.

Dr Andrew Orr, the chairman of the Montrose Bamse Project, dedicated to
keeping the legend of Bamse alive, said: "Memories of Bamse and his wartime
exploits live on in the people who remember this gentle giant of a dog. We
are so pleased and proud to see Bamse honoured with the PDSA gold medal."

This article: http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1064872006

Last updated: 22-Jul-06 02:50 BST

Bernard de Neumann



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