More than just a hound dog, flying all the time

HE served in occupied Europe and the Far East during the Second World War, jumped out of planes into enemy territory and finished his working life with a stint in the police force.

But while this is a career any conscript would be proud of, it is actually the story of a canine soldier named Roy.

The fascinating tale of the brave war dog has come to light after his owner, Jim Love, sought to get a copy of a certificate from the Ministry of Defence which praises his beloved dog's "loyal and faithful service" from 1939-45.

Mr Love, 82, wanted the certificate to show his grandson, Connor, 12, who was doing a school project on the Second World War.

Mr Love, from Bathgate, was given the Alsatian by his uncle, John Arthur, back in 1939.

But after war was declared and rationing began, feeding the Love family and a fully-grown Alsatian became increasingly difficult, so they took the tough decision to send Roy off to do his bit for king and country by becoming a war dog.

He started with basic training at the Guard Dog Training School in Woodfield, near Gloucester, and was then moved into active service in occupied Europe.

The division Roy served with was known to parachute dogs into enemy areas, so it is assumed that he had to jump from a plane with the rest of his squadron.

Although Mr Love and his family received letters from the War Office with updates about Roy, they were very vague and could not give detailed locations in case they were intercepted by the Nazis.

However, as the war progressed, the family got another letter which said Roy was being deployed to the Far East to help in the fight against Hirohito's forces.

When the war ended, they received another letter from the War Office stating that Roy had survived and would be brought back to London and sent by train to his family in Bathgate.

Mr Love said: "People were going away, some of them came back and some didn't, so we just had to accept it.

"It was a big surprise when he came back because not long before we had been asked permission to send him out to the Far East.

"What went on when he was away, we'll never know."

When Roy returned, he went back to live with Mr Love and settled back into family life, despite having lost half of one of his ears during his service.

Before long he found himself working again, this time as a police patrol dog, but was later released from duty as he was deemed too big and too strong.

Mr Love said: "He was a great big beast. When I went down the street, everybody cleared the area. They knew he was a war dog so they kept away.

"He never interfered with anybody, though, unless they touched me or one of the family."

Roy lived to the grand age of 18. Mr Love added: "I am glad to tell the story of my brave dog Roy.

"He was an inspiration during the dark years of the Second World War, serving his country as loyally as he was to me before and after."

Michael Connarty MP, who Mr Love contacted for help in getting a copy of Roy's certificate, said: "The contributions to the war effort came in many forms, as the story of Jim Love's dog Roy illustrates.

"It was great the MoD were able to confirm Roy's service and produce a certificate to commemorate the contribution of one of the many animals that were unsung heroes of the Second World War."