TOPIC:

....After going through three campaigns Drummer, the famous war dog of the Northumberland Fusiliers, has been poisoned at Colchester, where its owner, Colonel Ray, is the principal medical officer at the military hospital. Drummer was all through the Egyptian Campaign, and witnessed the Battle of Omdurman, snapping at bullets which he clearly regarded as flies. The old warrior went to South Africa with the first regiments sent out, and was present at Magersfontein, where Major Ray, Northumberland Fusiliers, son of Colonel Ray, was killed. He shared in the relief of Kimberley, where Mr. Rhodes gave him a biscuit, and was wounded in the shoulder at Wynberg. Queen Victoria signified her intention of giving him a medal when he returned from the front, but the War Office raised objections, and the gallant dog had to be content with miniature medals and clasps, the latter being for Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Relief of Kimberley, Belmont, and Modder River.
....Drummer was the only dog Lord Methuen allowed to accompany his column from Orange River. He also assisted at the pacification of Crete, and saw "foreign service" at Gibraltar. The "Dogs Annual" for 1900 was dedicated to him, and contained a eulogistic article on the veteran campaigner.
Evening Express, Thursday 23rd January 1902

At the 21st (Cheshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry's annual dinner in 1905 "an honoured guest was 'Buller,' the popular bull-terrier who accompanied the 21st Company throughout the campaign."

Cheshire Observer, Saturday 21st January 1905

Drummer appears to have been left short changed by those penny pinching scrooges at the War Office, it is a shame Her Majesty did not insist, although, that said, where do you stop, I dare say the flood gates may have started to shudder!

BereniceUK wrote:

A REGIMENTAL DOG'S CAMPAIGNS.

After going through three campaigns Drummer, the famous war dog of the Northumberland Fusiliers, has been poisoned at Colchester, where its owner, Colonel Ray, is the principal medical officer at the military hospital. Drummer was all through the Egyptian Campaign, and witnessed the Battle of Omdurman, snapping at bullets which he clearly regarded as flies. The old warrior went to South Africa with the first regiments sent out, and was present at Magersfontein, where Major ray, Northumberland Fusiliers, son of Colonel Ray, was killed. He shared in the relief of Kimberley, where Mr. Rhodes gave him a biscuit, and was wounded in the shoulder at Wynberg. Queen Victoria signified her intention of giving him a medal when he returned from the front, but the War Office raised objections, and the gallant dog had to be content with miniature medals and clasps, the latter being for Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Relief of Kimberley, Belmont, and Modder River.

Drummer was the only dog Lord Methuen allowed to accompany his column from Orange River. He also assisted at the pacification of Crete, and saw "foreign service" at Gibraltar. The "Dogs Annual" for 1900 was dedicated to him, and contained a eulogistic article on the veteran campaigner.

Evening Express, Thursday 23rd January 1902

Frank Kelley wrote: Drummer appears to have been left short changed by those penny pinching scrooges at the War Office, it is a shame Her Majesty did not insist, although, that said, where do you stop, I dare say the flood gates may have started to shudder!

Hear hear, Frank.

A diverting incident occurred on Tuesday at Guildford in connection with the return of the 3rd Battalion Queen's Regiment from South Africa. The regimental pet, a full-grown baboon, marched with the men through the town, and whilst they were dining it escaped, taking up a commanding position on a roof overlooking the drill hall. All attempts to entice "Tom," as the monkey is called, were unavailing, and the men proceeded to barracks without him. For several hours afterwards the baboon provided plenty of amusement, going from house to house and street to street. It visited in turn the post-office and county police-station, and continued to baffle all attempts at recapture. It was finally secured just before nightfall.

The County Observer and Monmouthshire Advertiser, 5th April 1902

Among the curios just brought home from South Africa by the 16th (Queen's) Lancers at Colchester is a fine stork. It has been installed as the regimental pet.

Evening Express, Monday 14th November 1904

Drummer



Source: undereveryleaf.wordpress.com/tag/battle-the-of-omdurman/

Great thread all.

Super picture Elmarie - note that Drummer has a Queen's Sudan medal too.