NZHistory, New Zealand history online - mascots

Pelorus Jack in 1913

The mascot of HMS New Zealand, Pelorus Jack, in 1913. Read more about Pelorus Jack.

Pelorus Jack sailed with Alan McInnes, whose great nephew sent in these images.

Bill Henderson private collection.

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Vietnam mascots

Mascots have long been a part of the military, and Vietnam was no exception. Here medical team members from the army, navy and air force can be seen holding their puppy mascots.

The mother of the pups was a stray dog adopted by members of the 1st New Zealand Armed Services medical team hospital and named 'Kiwi'.

This photograph was taken at the NZ Armed Services medical team hospital at Bong Son, South Vietnam, in 1970.

Image from Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection
Reference: EP-Defence-NZ Army, Vietnam-20

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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Private Hunt, the parakeet mascot

The Solomons Island parakeet Private Hunt, mascot for 37 New Zealand Infantry Batalion of 3 New Zealand Division in the Pacific, is pictured here with his trainer, Private Currie.

According to 37 Battalion official history, Pacific saga, Private Hunt came to an unfortunate end at Vella Lavella in April 1944.

He had fallen into a rain-barrel during the night and drowned. He had travelled with us since Guadalcanal days and was a most popular and well-known member of the battalion. When very young he had been petted a lot and did so much walking about that his normally long tail became worn down to a small stump, through dragging on the ground. Later, when he endeavoured to fly, he hadn't a hope, without his tail. He had learned to whisper some very wicked words, mainly in disparagement of members of the intelligence section, whose special pet he was and who, it is feared, taught him his naughty ways. Often he would be heard muttering over and over again, 'Currie you're a ...!'

Image from Pacific Saga, Reed Publishers for Third Division Histories Committee (1947)

Thanks to J.B. Haigh for telling us about Private Hunt

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Floss, the New Zealand Army rugby mascot

The New Zealand Army rugby team is pictured at Codford Camp, near Bristol, in 1917. The team toured several English cities and apparently never lost a game. Their mascot, Floss, sits in front.

According to a report in the RSA Review, November 1969:

[Floss] was a bitch fox terrier from Sir Walter Long's kennels, Towbridge. She was given to Driver Percy E. (Ike) Lowndes, who taught her many tricks, and took her round hospitals, camps and even the stage of the London Empire Theatre. Floss could skip up to 40 jumps on her hind legs over a turning skipping-rope, leap a specially-made hurdle 14 inches high and land on her hind legs. She could pray, go to bed, play a piano, count to five, sit at a table and give orders to the waiter, and take cover in an air raid.

Floss became the mascot of this [NZ Army] football team. It is the 'Z' of NZ that is visible on her jersey, not a '2'. She toured in her jersey for the Diggers. Floss raised hundreds of pounds for the disabled servicefolk.

Despite all her good deeds, the quarantine authorities would not let Floss into New Zealand, even though they received a petition signed by 1000 1 NZEF men. However, Ike Lowndes smuggled her back to Wellington, where after nine months' quarantine on Somes Island, she was released.

Floss performed for many charities around the North Island. She was a good ratcatcher, too. She'd have descendants around Gisborne, where Ike had a soldier's farm for a while.

Floss died at the age of 17 about 1935. She was stuffed and kept in a glass case by Mr Lowndes at Eastbourne. Then she was given to the Wellington R.S.A. and later the Auckland R.S.A. But neither Auckland R.S.A. nor Auckland museum know where Floss is today. Can any readers help find Floss?

Floss performing tricks while her fans take photographs.

Floss the ratcatcher with owner Percy Lowndes.

Images and information courtesy of Thelma Lowndes, daughter-in-law of Floss's owner Percy Lowndes

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Paddy, the mascot in Egypt

A Maori Battalion soldier and mascot dog, Paddy, share some pork from the hangi on Christmas Day 1943 at Maadi Camp, Egypt. This photograph was taken by George Robert Bull.

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
Reference: DA-04880-F
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz.
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

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New Zealand Army Special Air Service with goat mascot

This group photograph shows the New Zealand Army Special Air Service Headquarters Troop with a goat called Angus, which was the squadron's mascot.

The photograph was taken at Waiouru on 14 September 1955 during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960).

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
Reference: WH-0155-F
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz.
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

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Further information - military mascots

This web feature was written by Megan Hutching and Jamie Mackay with assistance from Rose Young (Auckland War Memorial Museum) and members of the community who kindly contributed images and information. It was produced by the NZHistory.net.nz team.

Books

Graham Spencer, The four-legged major, Grantham House, Wellington, 1987
Patricia Stroud, Caesar the Anzac dog, HarperCollins, Auckland, 2003

Bruno, the New Zealand Army Service Corps mascot

Private T.P. Noonan is pictured with the mascot of No. 1 Platoon, New Zealand Army Service Corps. Bruno, aged two and a half months, was apparently born in Florence, Italy.

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
Reference: PA1-q-305-0071
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz.
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

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Pooch, the mascot

A New Zealand soldier, N.H. Boswell, carries his unit's mascot, Pooch, during an amphibious training session in the Pacific during the Second World War.

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Korean War dog mascot

The mascot of 162 Battery of the 16th Field Regiment, Korea, in 1952

It is believed that this dog was acquired in Japan and went across on a troop ship to Korea. Barry Buchanan remembers he was still there when they shifted their reserve postions in 1954. Gunfire never seemed to worry the dog.

Do you know the name of this dog? Please email us at [email protected] if you do.

Image and information courtesy of Barry Buchanan

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NZHistory, New Zealand history online - mascots

Pelorus Jack in 1913

Vietnam mascots

Private Hunt, the parakeet mascot

Floss, the New Zealand Army rugby mascot

Paddy, the mascot in Egypt

New Zealand Army Special Air Service with goat mascot

Further information - military mascots

Links

Books

Bruno, the New Zealand Army Service Corps mascot

Pooch, the mascot

Korean War dog mascot