Search for the Red Paws (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Search for the Red Paws

5:08pm Monday 15th December 2008

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The Red Paw badge was worn by members of the Army Dog Unit Northern Ireland, a unique Army unit made up of volunteers from every regiment/corps, but disbanded in 2007 when the personnel were no longer required for 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland.

The unit started in 1973 and the volunteer dog handlers trained and worked with dogs known as "Wagtails" (arms and explosives search dogs), "Snappers" (guard dogs) and "Groundhogs" (tracker dogs).

The Red Paw badge represented the dogs' feet bleeding after carrying out searches in the debris following bombings, etc, in NI.

We are trying to contact the ex-dog handlers to join a recently formed Association.

By next year we would like to have contacted enough of them for there to be sufficient numbers to take part in the Cenotaph march past in November - all the various regiments combined into one unit in their own right, representing the ADU NI, to honour their lads killed in NI (sometimes the dog as well).

To this end, the Army Dog Unit Northern Ireland Association has launched a website which has had tremendous support so far.

Pretty well everything you need to know is on the site but in view of the number of regiments involved we are finding it very difficult to contact the ex-dog handlers, now spread far and wide, especially those who served in Northern Ireland in the 70's and 80's (50-60 ish age group now).

If you were able to give us any recognition, "The Red Paw" would be instantly recognisable by these people we are trying to find.

We would be truly grateful if you would give this cause your consideration.

This is being sent to you on behalf of the co-founders Eddie Shinton & Mac McClinton, I do not speak very well as I have throat cancer but you can contact Eddie for more information he is one of the two co-founders on 01584 891449 or Mac on 01359239330.

Robert Shevill Press Liaison Officer ADU-NI 99, Carnarc Crescent, Inverness The Army Benevolent Fund is helping us spread the word: www.armybenfund.org/links/friends.html The British Army Rumour Service is also helping: www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Web_Links/l_op=viewlink/cid=1.html

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