The Regimental Mascot,
Sergeant Watchman III
The 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion,
The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's)
Sergeant Watchman III in full ceremonial dress as
pictured on his official Regimental Postcard of 1995
More than 100 mourners bowed their
heads to remember the Staffordshire Regiment's most dogged recruit - its
Staffordshire Bull Terrier mascot.
They came to pay tribute to Sergeant
Watchman III, who died, aged nine in June 1998 at the home of his handler,
Sergeant Malcolm Bower.
Sergeant Watchman III's coffin arrives for the funeral cermony
in Burton-upon-Trent town centre, Staffordshire,
bearing a wreath of poppies and his ceremonial jacket.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
was given full military honours at his send-off on the 29th June 1998 in
Burton-upon-Trent town centre, Staffordshire. The regimental band of the
3rd Volunteer Battalion played the Last Post as old soldiers and serving
Gulf War veterans dabbed at handkerchiefs as Sergeant Bower struggled to
keep a stiff upper lip.
The coffin is lowered to its final resting place as his handler,
Sergeant Malcolm Bower (extreme right), salutes, whilst holding
Watchman III's collar on a silk cusion
As soon as a minute's silence was
over, East Staffordshire District Council Mayor, Tom Dawn, spoke of the
invaluable input Watchman III had as a mascot, raising the morale of the
troops.
As the bell tolled at 8.15, weeping
guests laid wreaths and gazed down at the small black coffin.
Watchman III's job as a mascot
was to appear at every official function of the 1st Regular and 3rd T.A.
Battalions. The tradition of having a Staffordshire Bull Terrier associated
with the regiment dates back to the last century.
Watchman III also opened breed
shows, helped raise money for Rescue and above all, was a magnificent ambassador
for this wonderful breed of ours. Our thoughts are with Malcolm and his
family who are devestated by his passing.
John Dallison
Northern SBT Rescue Homepage