‘Khan-do’ attitude pays off as funds raised for statue
A famous Avondale dog will finally have his day after enough funds were raised for a statue in his honour at the heart of Strathaven.
Lance Corporal Jimmy Muldoon and ‘Rifleman’ Khan will be honoured with a bronze cast monument in the Common Green.
That’s after the community got behind a campaign by local councillor Margaret Cooper to raise £55,000.
The popular pair became well-known in Avondale after German Shepherd Khan and his handler Corporal Muldoon – a Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) – landed at the island of Walcheren in the Netherlands, as part of the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944.
Khan swam to the shore, but his handler could not swim and was drowning in the deep water.
The brave pooch ran from the beach and swam back out to sea to haul Muldoon to safety. They both survived and led a famous parade in Strathaven in 1953.
Khan was awarded the highest award for bravery for a dog – the Dicken Medal – considered by some the canine version of the Victoria Cross.
After the war he was allowed to stay with James Muldoon, and they spent their remaining years in the town.
Avondale and Stonehouse representative, Councillor Cooper, confirmed that Scottish sculptor John Mckenna would now be commissioned to complete a project in their honour.
Councillor Cooper told the Advertiser: “It will take about a year for him to produce, it as it goes through various stages.
“It will be sited at the Common Green in Strathaven and I plan to have a ceremony involving the family of Muldoon, local clergy, school pupils and representatives from the Cameronians.”