Bamse - Montrose, Angus, Scotland
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creg-ny-baa
N 56° 42.395 W 002° 28.422
30V E 532222 N 6284848
Bamse was a large St. Bernard dog from Norway who lived during World War II on a minesweeper stationed at Montrose. His statue is located on Wharf Street in Montrose, Scotland.
Waymark Code: WMRTKY
Location: Northern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/03/2016
Views: 3
Bamse, which is Norwegian for "teddy bear" was a St. Bernard dog who lived during World War II. He was owned by Captain Erling Hafto of the Norwegian navy and went to sea with him on the minesweeper Thorodd which was stationed in Montrose and Dundee during the war. Bamse belonged to the Hafto family of Honningsvag in Norway and when war broke out Captain Hafto took him on the Thorodd as a registered crew member where he lifted the morale and became a great favourite.
His acts of heroism included saving a young lieutenant, who was being attacked by a man wielding a knife, by pushing the assailant into the sea. He also dragged a soldier ashore who had fallen overboard, He was also known for breaking up fights.
Bamse died at Montrose on the dockside where his statue now stands. He was buried, with full military honours further along the harbour. The Royal Norwegian Navy holds a commemorative ceremony every ten years. He was posthumously awarded the Norges Hundeorden and the PDSA gold medal for gallantry to duty, the only animal in world war two to have received this honour.