Volunteers have helped keep alive the memory of a regimental dog that has been buried in Arbroath since 1918.
Paddy was the 2/1 Highland Cycling Battalion mascot during the first world war and was laid to rest at Keptie Wood.
He joined the battalion in October 1914 and was at various locations such as St Cyrus before moving to Arbroath where McDonald Park was used as a camp and training ground.
On January 28 1918 Paddy died and was buried at Keptie Wood at the side of the park and the soldiers made a headstone out of a large stone and inscribed it with their mascot’s name, service details and date of death.
Paddy’s headstone has now been restored and flowers were planted at the grave thanks to the efforts of volunteers Ralph Coutts, George Park and Kenny Robertson.
Mr Coutts recruited the services of stonemason Kenny Robertson who recently restored Annabella Greig’s stone at the Western Cemetery.
“It was my good friend George Park who highlighted the state of the stone and I thought something should be done,” said Mr Coutts.
“I am a dog lover myself and know what an important role man’s best friend plays in the forces.
“I called Kenny Robertson who works in both the Eastern and Western cemeteries of Arbroath and jumped at the chance to help this great cause.
“I think it’s important to leave these important reminders of the past in a better condition than we found them as they are an important part of Arbroath’s history.”
John Clyde, the parks and cemeteries department superintendent, used to lay a wreath at the grave of Paddy each anniversary of his death and continued that honour until he retired in 1968.
Sadly the wreath laying ceased at that point but was taken up again by Patrick Anderson from Letham who has laid a poppy cross at the dog’s grave since returning to Angus in 1999.
Mr Anderson, who was a police sergeant in Yorkshire, grew up in Arbroath and would often visit Paddy’s grave with his father William during his childhood.
He said he would continue to the wreath laying tradition when he retired from the police and went back to live in Angus.
The Highland Cyclist Battalion was a bicycle infantry battalion of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army.
The 2nd Line battalion was formed at Kirkcaldy in November 1914 and in 1915 it was at Montrose and in 1916 at Arbroath.
The battalion was disbanded on July 3 1919.
