REGIMENTAL PUPPY TO REPORT FOR DUTY
WATCHMAN VI TO BE HANDED OVER BY MAYOR AT TOWN CEREMONY
THE new Staffordshire regimental dog mascot will soon be introduced to the people of Burton later this month.
Watchman VI will be officially handed over by the Mayor of East Staffordshire Chris Smith to the Army regiment later this month.
Traditionally, the mayor would pay for the new dog but in celebration of the centenary of the end of the First World War, breeders have donated a dog to the county’s regiment for free.
The regiment has had a Staffordshire bull terrier as its mascot since the 19th century and the name Watchman was first introduced in 1949. The mayor will officially hand Watchman VI over to dog handler Greg Hedges.
Greg said: “Traditionally, it was the Mayor of East Staffordshire who would pay for Watchman and he would then be presented to the handler.
“However, this time, the breeders, Wayne and Karon Jackson, have given him to us for free, in celebration of 100 years since the end of the First World War.
“Even though he has not had to pay for this Watchman, we still want the mayor to hand him over and do the official ceremony because it is traditional.
“Also, all the previous Watchmans are buried at the town hall so we like to keep up Burton’s close connection with Watchman.”
The puppy is now hard at work learning the ropes from Watchman V, who will retire due to old age and health issues next year.
It could take up to eight months for Watchman VI to be fully trained. He will have to be comfortable with lots of people touching him and stroking him, said Greg, adding that often children will want to stroke him, not understanding how he could get scared.
He will also to be trained to get used to loud bangs as he will often be involved in ceremonies where ceremonial guns may be used.
The new mascot cannot take part in public parades yet as he has not had all his relevant injections.
The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 17, outside Burton Town Hall at 11.30am.