Milestone for tribute to heroic wartime dogs

Funding: Group wanting to build statue in Angus passes £25,000 mark

The group behind a campaign to raise £50,000 for a statue to commemorate the heroic wartime actions of a dog breed is celebrating a funding milestone.

The Airedale Terrier Club of Scotland rescue charity wants to erect a large monument at East Haven beach to acknowledge the bravery of the breed, used to identify the injured and deliver messages during the First World War.

The club has now raised more than £25,000 and can apply to the Angus LEADER fund.

The charity’s secretary, Wendy Turner, from Inverkeilor, hopes for a decision by March: “I am still receiving money coming in from all over the world – the support has been tremendous.

“It’s going to be a real attraction for the area. I hope to have it in place by Remembrance Day next year.

“I’ve been told I can expect a decision in March.”

Kirriemuir sculptor Bruce Walker will create the work out of a piece of granite set aside from a Peterhead quarry.

“It will be approximately 1.5m (5ft) high,” Wendy said. “What Bruce proposes to do is have an Airedale carved into it with a pigeon basket on its back. That was one of their jobs, to carry pigeons.

“Another part of the base would be an Airedale in the trenches and the very top will be an Airedale near to life size.”

The project has also been supported by Angus Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Money has been received from America, Australia, Canada and Finland. One anonymous donation was for £5,500. An auction of Airedale themed items raised a further £2,000.

rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk

One of the Airedale terriers in action during the First World War that could be commemorated at East Haven.