Nancy and Just Nuisance remembered on Poppy Day

On Saturday November 7, the annual Poppy Day fundraising effort will take place in the city. This will be followed by the Armistice Parade on Sunday, November 8.
During this period veterans and members of the public intensely remember the sacrifices made by many soldiers who lost their lives for their fatherland and their countrymen in wartime. It is then also the time to reflect on the thousands of animals who served in the same wars in various applications which ranges from Hannibal crossing the Alps with elephants, horses pulling war machines in the artillery period, dolphins used for spy-photography in the Cold War to homing pigeons used to carry intelligence information over long distances. During the Boer War, the trustworthy saddle horse, served to carry the warriors through difficult terrain and trying conditions.

Two great stories of outstanding animals in the South African military history comes to mind; Just Nuisance the Great Dane who ‘served’ in the South African Navy during World War II and Nancy the Springbok who was the mascot for the Fourth South African Regiment (Transvaal Scottish) in the First World War.

Ladies first, Nancy’s story: Reared and tamed as a pet on a farm in the Orange free State, Nancy was offered to General Lukin, commander of the South African Brigade, to serve as a mascot, the badge of that outfit was the Springbok head. In 1915 she was assigned to the Scottish regiment and passed her training with flying colours. Soon she found herself, together with her handler, private Petersen, on board of the Balmoral Castle which took the South Africans across the seas to firstly England, then Egypt, where Nancy flourished in the warm dessert conditions and finally to Europe. Nancy became very popular with the general public and soldiers, dressed in tartan attire, tripling to the band music on parades. A series of incidents involving Nancy ensured that this doe’s military career will always be remembered. In Alexandria, North Africa, she went missing. After many hours of searching someone suggested that the band plays some military tunes which immediately led to Nancy’s attuned ear to lead her back to her unit. When the unit was engaged in fighting, Nancy was kept out of range usually tethered close to the quartermaster’s store. One day, a shell exploded very close to the store, causing Nancy to bolt into a wall, damaging one horn which thereafter continued to grow downwards. Her last parade took place in France April 1918 near Dellville Wood after which fighting become very fierce. The cold European winter did not agree with Nancy and on November 26 she died from pneumonia. She was afforded a military memorial service which included the sounding of the last post. Her head and skin was sent to a taxidermist in England who mounted Nancy on a base which presently stands displayed in the Johannesburg war museum See Photo Mounted Nancy on display at Johannesburg Museum.

Nancy, the Springbok mascot of the fourth South African regiment, pictured in Delville Wood in February 1918, almost two years after the battle.

Just Nuisance: This Great Dane dog was born in Rondebosh in 1937. His owner relocated to Simonstown Naval Base in 1938. Soon Nuisance became very fond of life among the mooring ships at the harbour. He loved boarding the ships and getting in the way of sailors by resting on the gangplanks. He also developed a liking for travelling on the train to and from Cape Town. He extended this pastime by escorting the sailors from the taverns back to Cape Town Station and again to their barracks upon arrival in Simonstown. His roaming antics and association with the sailors and soldiers led to the railway authorities’ annoyance and his existence was in jeopardy.
Probably he was referred to as ‘that nuisance dog’.

Statue of Just Nuisance in Simonstown.

By now Nuisance became the darling of many a sailor, soldier and officer to such an extent that, in August 1939, the Admiralty agreed to enlist him as an ‘ordinary seaman’ to serve as a morale booster for the troops with World War II now in full force. His name was registered as Just Nuisance. He excelled in his job and was promoted to able seaman. Later he ‘married’ the Great Dane, Alinda and they produced five pups. Unfortunately a car accident led to his death and he was buried in Klawer, at the former SA Navy Signal School with full Military Honors. A statue in memory of Just Nuisance was erected on Jubilee Square in Simonstown, being a great attraction for tourists. Presently a film is being produced on the life of Nuisance, which promises to become a blockbuster.

Spare a thought for Just Nuisance and Nancy when you pin your poppy on Poppy day.